The evolution of Kuldeep Yadav as one of India’s frontline spin bowlers has been quite a story. He had tasted success early in his career with a couple of hat-tricks in ODIs and also the consistency he showcased in the limited opportunities he got in the red-ball format. But soon he found himself in a precarious situation, surrounded by negativity and self-doubt as his dipping form became a major issue.
Came the IPL 2021 where he injured his knee and was benched for the entire season. A hairline fracture in his wrist further added to his woes but Kuldeep chose to fight back. Back in 2022, he found a new home in Delhi Capitals and working closely with Ricky Ponting did wonders for the Chinaman bowler as he picked up 16 wickets in the season.
Speaking about the torrid period in Kuldeep’s career, former India bowling coach Bharat Aurn recalled a conversation between the leg-spinner and then head coach Ravi Shastri.
“Boss, this puppy fat you have na… has to be melted away. I can’t think of a single reason with improved fitness that you won’t become a world-class Test bowler,” Arun recalled during a chat with The Indian Express.
There has been a massive transition not only in Kuldeep’s fitness standards but also in his bowling style. Unlike his previous version, he is very agile on the field and bowling-wise, he has got quicker through the air which aids him in troubling the opponent batter.
“Any bowler can bowl quicker – that was never the point. It had to be done without sacrificing turn, loop and dip. And it was always about the energy through the crease. The ultimate result is a visible increase in pace. Not the other way around. Not going there and firing the ball. None of us are idiots! It was about being patient and working hard,” Arun said.
“How do you do that? Fitness certainly is a factor to bowl in Tests with that kind of energy. We always knew Kuldeep could deliver: Who can forget the ball he bowled in the 2019 World Cup to Babar Azam? How to sustain that through longer spells? When your release point’s hand position is precise, you have a quicker arm speed. All the spinner’s nuances can come through the wrist position.
“Now look at him, quicker arm speed, that bustle through the crease, near-perfect hand position at release, and it’s all going in the direction it ought to go – towards the batsman at the other end. With better fitness, his basics (of bowling action) taken care of, he is now actively channelling all his energy at the other end, trying to beat the man there,” he added.
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