Kuldeep Yadav fit right into India's bowling lineup after returning to the side after a long hiatus. In the ongoing first Test of the two-Test series against Bangladesh in Chattogram, the left-arm chinaman bowler became the first Indian bowler to take a fifer in Tests at the venue. In an innings where Ravichandran Ashwin did not pick up a single wicket, Kuldeep picked up a fifer to bundle out Bangladesh for 150 in the first innings. As it looked in the middle, Kuldeep said that he did not feel he was away from Test cricket.
"Kehne ke liye toh do saal hain par mujhe kabhi feel hi nahi huwa (It might be nearly two years (22 months) but I never felt it that way," the 28-year-old said with a smile after day’s play.
Kuldeep was out of the action in 2021 as he had a knee surgery which ruled him out of second phase of Indian Premier League (IPL) which was played in UAE.
"If I wouldn't have played any cricket post injury, then its a struggle. But for last one year, I have been continuously playing white-ball cricket and also played red-ball series against New Zealand (A series).
"I bowled long spells in that series. If you are with the team (national), then you don't feel that pressure," the wrist spinner said.
Kuldeep does not feel that his bowling style needs much changing while switching formats as he has been playing a lot more white-ball cricket this year.
"Due to my bowling style, I don't have switch-over problems. Yes, when you are bowling in Tests, you need more control and you have to really earn your wicket as batters have long time to get set and measure you up," said Kuldeep.
"The field positions change, formations are different and bowling one areas consistently for long periods is another challenge."
Kuldeep will now have the responsibility of demolishing Bangladesh batting lineup on Day 4 of Chattogram Test. India have set a target of 513. In reply, Bangladesh openers scored 42 runs from 12 overs in the third session.
"I believe the pitch is perfect to bat on. It was really good to bat on even against spinners. Yes some balls are keeping low and the odd ball turning. Me and Ash bhai (R Ashwin) were initially looking at first innings score of 360 but as time passed, batting became easier so we looked at 400-run total,” Kuldeep who scored 40 runs in the 92-run partnership with Ashwin said about the Chattogram pitch.
