India’s left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav said he is confident of performing well with the bat in the first innings of the ongoing Chattogram Test against Bangladesh.
The 28-year-old made his comeback after almost two years, scoring 5/40 in the first innings against Bangladesh. But before that, he also made a major contribution with the bat, scoring 40 of 114 balls.
India were 293/7 in their first innings. However, Kudip with Ravi Chandran Ashwin (58 off 113 balls) added 92 for the eighth wicket as the visitors eventually posted an impressive 404. The left-arm spinner was asked about his relationship with the Willows during his press conference following Day 3 of the game on Friday, December 16. He asserted:
“I always practice batting hard. Even in white ball cricket, I work just as hard. I have always been good in red ball cricket. I have run a lot of runs in first class. I am confident that I can hold on in the end.
“I’m 100 per cent happy with my performance. Although I didn’t manage to get 50 points, those 40 points were important for the team. This partnership is Ashwin, and we added 92 during that time, taking us over 400, that’s critical.”
Although Kuldeep scored his highest Test score in the first innings of the Chattogram, he has already scored one hundred and six fifty from 34 first-class games.
“I didn’t think I’d been playing for so long” – Kuldeep Yadav
even though the left arm turntable has played a few games India In white-ball cricket over the past few years, the Chattogram Test is his first red-ball appearance for the country since February 2021.
However, Kuldeep denied that he had long distances in mind, explaining:
“I didn’t think I’d played for a long time. If you haven’t played cricket for a few years, that’s a different story. Of course, you might struggle in that situation during your comeback. But I’ve been playing with the team. Playing the white ball game, so I didn’t feel too much pressure.
“You might play Test cricket in two years time, but I don’t feel that way.”
During the media interaction, Kuldeep was also asked about his bowling experience with Ashwin and Ashwin. Aksa Patel. He called it a very good one, adding:
“They were very good in Test matches and are still doing it. Bowling is done in partnership, whatever the format. When the pressure is applied from one end, the wickets come from the other. That’s the way it is. I’m enjoying it and spinning the ball The fun of hand bowling, hopefully it continues.”
While Kuldeep took five wickets in the first innings, Axar had just one, even though Ashwin had none.
