Home
India's left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav said that the remodeled action post-knee surgery in 2021 took a toll on his body. Kuldeep recalled facing troubles delivering eight to nine overs on the trot in Test cricket. He also opened up about Rohit's famours stump mic enquiries when he asked Kuldeep whether he is getting tired.
"You must have heard a lot of times in the match, Rohit bhai would keep asking me – Thak raha hai kya (Hope you are not tired)? Now, luckily, I have started putting in long spells of 8-9 overs. I have also put in 10-12 overs in Tests. It took me 3 years to get that energy to bowl a long spell," Kuldeep told The Indian Express.
Kuldeep was exceptional in India's home series against England where he bagged 19 wickets from four Tests at an average of 20.16, including a fifer. Ahead of the Edgbaston Test where many have asked for his inclusion, Kuldeep opened up about his conversation with Centre of Excellence (formerly NCA) head physothierapist. He listened to the advice and remodeled his action which was 'very difficult' for him. At times, he faced issues bowling four overs in T20 cricket.
"When a doctor tells you something, you need to take it seriously. When I had knee surgery Ashish Kaushik told me ‘KD you have bowled so much over the years that your front foot has taken too much load. Because of twisting and turning there could be a problem for you going ahead’. I didn’t give it too much thought initially but things that doctors say stay in your mind," the 30-year-old said.
"Coming in sideways, it was very difficult for me to get balance. Initially there were a number of problems. To flip your old action is very difficult. It took about a month and a half to get the rhythm. I need so much energy to bowl with the altered action, I couldn’t bowl more than 4 to 5 overs. The run-up was fast and my approach was aggressive. Even 4 overs in T20 was difficult," the spinner added.
Kuldeep's task cut out
If Kuldeep gets a place in the playing XI for the second Test, he will face an uphill task. The Bazballers are in form. But, the main concern is India's record at Edgbaston, Birmingham. They have played seven Tests at the venue and are yet to register a win.
ADVERTISEMENT
