Kandy: Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav is hoping his hard work will be rewarded with a place in the playing XI for the third Test against Sri Lanka as he competes with Axar Patel, who has been called up to the squad as a replacement for the suspended Ravindra Jadeja.
“Obviously there is excitement. I was excited to play my debut Test as well. So if I get a chance to play in Sri Lanka I will be very happy because this will be a result of my hard work. While I am excited, I am also nervous because I want to perform,” Kuldeep told reporters here Wednesday.
“It is still not clear (if I will play) because there are three days left for practice. But ever since I have come here, (Ravi) Shastri sir keeps on motivating me. I have been doing nets and he has been talking to me during the nets from even before the first Test. It is a good experience. I am hoping for the best,” the left-arm spinner added.
If Kuldeep plays, this will be his second Test, after Yadav took the cricket world by storm on his debut in Dharamsala. He picked up four wickets in the first innings against Australia and was instrumental in helping India seal the series 2-1. Since then, he has had to wait for his next chance for obvious reasons.
“Definitely you will have to wait for your chance if No.1 and No.2 spinners (Ashwin and Jadeja) in the world are in the same Test squad. You cannot walk into the team so easily and you have to wait as that’s the rule of cricket,” Kuldeep pointed out.
“I try to stay with them mostly and keep talking to them and they help me a lot. So I have learnt a lot from them especially playing Test cricket with them. I have also been working with Bharat Arun for the past 10 years, ever since I was playing in under-16. His tips have been invaluable.
Press Trust of India
