'I Know Your Skills, Don't Worry About Anything': Kuldeep Remembers the Person Who Changed His Life in 2022

Team India’s quest for a second T20 World Cup title begins on Wednesday as they take on Ireland in New York. The team has several first-timers in the tournament and one of them is leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav who is pretty excited to represent the country in the showpiece event.

Over the years, Kuldeep has established himself as an integral part of Team India across all formats. He has played a prolific role in India’s last two campaigns at the ODI World Cups – in 2019 and 2024 – but has yet to play the marquee tournament of the shortest format.

Speaking with DC Podcast, Kuldeep expressed his eagerness to win the trophy for India in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup.

“It’s my dream to win the World Cup for India. This is my first T20 World Cup. I’m 29 years old and expect to play for as long as possible. Winning the World Cup is a long-term goal, and there’s a bigger process behind it. If you’re playing for India for a long time, you’ve got to win a World Cup. I think trophies do matter in the end, and you’re playing to win the trophies. So winning the World Cup is my only dream,” Kuldeep said in the Podcast.

The making of Kuldeep 2.0

The leg-spinner managed to board the flight to the US on the back of some sensational performances for Team India. But he wasn’t the same Kuldeep a couple of years ago. Before joining DC in 2022, went through a rough patch where he was denied chances in the IPL while his international career also took a hit. But his association with the Capitals and working with head coach Ricky Ponting handed him a new life.

“I never thought I’d change drastically over the last couple of years. When I joined DC in 2022, I did come in with changed skills, but I needed that confidence. I still remember when I met Ricky on the first day, he hugged me properly and said, ‘We wanted to have you in our team. I know your skills. Don’t worry about anything, and I will ensure you play all the games.’ So, Ponting helped me gain confidence, he used to give me ideas in training sessions. Rishabh as well, he is my brother, has always trusted me, and gave me full support,” Kuldeep recalled.

“However, I worked a lot with Watson. I bonded strongly with him; I used to share everything, even when I wasn’t playing well. I used to talk for hours with him in his room during the IPL (2022-23). He used to ask me about everything I was uncomfortable with, and I used to open up freely to him. He has played a big role in this. I still have notes from those conversations on my phone, and I rewind those before I play matches. I share an excellent bond with him. He has played a huge role in my revival,” he added.

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