Not Being A Regular In Playing XI Doesn't Bother Me Says Kuldeep Yadav

Ace Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav was part of India's recent series victories over Australia and England, traveling with the team in the bio-bubble.

The one-time trump card of skipper Virat Kohli was, however, pressed into service on very few occasions both by India and his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL over the last seven months.

He played only one match in Australia, an ODI, and then played one Test and two ODIs during England's tour of India. He hasn't played a single T20 since the IPL last season when he played just five matches for KKR.

That, however, doesn't disappoint him, he says. The 26-year-old, who spent three-four days with his family in Kanpur after the England series even as he worked on a few things at nets with his long-time coach ahead of the forthcoming IPL, spoke to IANS about the past few months and the forthcoming IPL.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: What are your plans for IPL?

A: The IPL will definitely be challenging because it is a T20 format and the games happen frequently. I have to keep myself prepared so that whenever I get a chance, I can perform. I have worked on a few things after the [recent] series [vs England] and I will keep my focus on those things. Accuracy, putting the ball in one place, is very important.

Q: How different will T20 bowling be from bowling in ODIs and Tests? You have played only these two formats for India recently...

A: It is all about quickly adapting to the situation. You have to bowl as per the situation and bring in changes quickly. Using the angles will be very important. I worked on all these things under [longtime coach] Kapil [Pandey] sir when I was home for the last 3-4 days .

Q: You didn't get to play much in recent times. How tough it is to stay motivated while being on the bench?

A: It is simple [motivating yourself]. As a cricketer, you want to play and you always think that you are going to play. But the circumstances don't always allow you to play. Often, the team's demands are different, and the combinations required for different matches are also taken into account. But it doesn't matter much to me. Because you shouldn't think much about what is not under your control. And I don't think much about it.

I want to play for the team. But I also have to think about the team. If you are able to contribute to the team or there is a requirement for you, then obviously you get to play.

But if there is no place and another player who fits the bill plays, then that is also good. I was never worried about it [not being able to play]. I have a lot of self-belief. I was bowling very well too. I kept egging myself on and kept my confidence level high.

I wasn't too worried and never went into depression. But the team management was always clear - whatever decision they took, they took it after talking to me. If you perform you are happy, if you don't get to play then that is also a part of the game. You just keep working hard.

Q: Is being a Chinaman a sort of a drawback because unless you are a surprise element, you are always picked only behind an orthodox one?

A: I have never thought about it and I don't think about it. If you are bowling well and your performance is good, I don't think it [being a Chinaman] acts as a drawback. There are times when you work hard but you don't get to perform. But you keep working hard. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't.

But yes, when I started my career, there weren't many Chinaman bowlers around. So I used to have doubts and would often wonder if there is any scope for it. But now a lot of people are bowling Chinaman. A lot of state teams also have Chinaman bowlers. Slowly it is turning into normal spin bowling. I don't think it will be a drawback.

Q: You played very few games for KKR in the last IPL as they have plenty of spinners. This time KKR has also added Harbhajan Singh into the squad...

A: KKR's spin department must be the best in the IPL, and the good thing for the team is that there are a lot of options to pick from. KKR has variety and they can pick bowlers according to the situation, pitch, etc. I have never been worried about getting into the playing XI. If the team management thinks Kuldeep is needed, I will play. But yes, I want to play.

Q: How do you look at the competition? Does it reduce your chances of playing?

A: Getting into the playing XI is the management's decision. As a player and an individual, you have to think about giving your 100 percent in the field. I will also get to learn and gain experience. I have spoken to Bhajju pa (Harbhajan Singh). I am very excited to meet him and learn from him. I will spend two months with him. He has been a big player and has played so much international cricket. The experience he carries will definitely be very useful. I will keep talking to him and look to gain whatever experience I can by staying close to him.

Q: Have you thought of improving the other facets as a cricketer like batting?

A: I have worked a lot on my batting recently. I didn't get many opportunities to bat in matches. But I worked with [batting coach] Vikram [Rathour] paaji a lot. I think I will score runs in times to come. Whatever skills I have with the bat, I will use them.

Q: What is it that you worked on in batting?

A: My defense is very good. I was working a lot in Australia on playing shots -- the areas where you can score off fast bowlers, looking at scoring opportunities against them.