In 2023, Kuldeep Yadav is having a second wind in his career and the chinaman has made a strong case for his inclusion in not only India’s World Cup 2023 squad but also in the starting XI come October 2023.
Once a crucial cog of the ODI side – Kuldeep played 56 ODIs from his debut in 2017 to 2019 – but suffered a downfall after that – he played only 17 ODIs from 2020 to 2022 – because of form and fitness.
He seems to be getting back his mojo this year: in 9 ODIs in 2023, which is the most he’s played in a single year since 2019, Kuldeep Yadav has picked up 19 wickets at an outstanding average of 17, which is his best bowling average in a year in his ODI career of about 7 years now.
His latest bowling performance of 3-2-6-4 against West Indies in the 1st ODI in Barbados, where he was selected in the side ahead of Chahal further helped his cause to cement a spot in the ODI side after four years.
Kuldeep Yadav sends an indirect message to Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid about dropping him in the past
Speaking to the reporters after his brilliant show in Barbados, which included the wicket of the West Indies skipper Shai Hope, who was his team’s highest scorer with 43 runs, Kuldeep Yadav spoke on the selection and exclusion he’s suffered in the past three years.
“You often have to sit outside because of the situation or the combination,” he said. “It’s become a normal thing. I’ve been playing cricket for such a long time – it’s been six, six-and-a-half years [since my debut] and a lot of things have become normal.
“I pay more attention to the work I need to put in, and my bowling, [so that I can perform] whenever I get a chance. I’m very relaxed when I don’t play, because there’s no pressure of performing on the ground. When you play there’s pressure, but at the same time it’s the pressure of doing well. You’re playing for a big team, you’re playing for India, you have so many people watching you, following you, so you want to perform at your best.”
The second ODI against West Indies will be played on Saturday in Barbados.
