South African wickets are very good for spinners: Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav was at his absolute best in the third T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg, claiming 5/17 in 2.5 overs and helping India level the three-match series 1-1. The left-arm wristspinner said that the surfaces in South Africa are generally good for spin bowling. 

Kuldeep has played six ODIs and two T20Is in South Africa and picked up 23 wickets. “It was special. Never thought that I will pick five wickets. I just wanted the team to win the match and I am happy to contribute. I was a bit concerned about my rhythm as I was bowling after a while. It was a perfect day, ball was leaving the hand nicely, the condition was also suited for the spinners,” he said after India’s 106-run win.

“In South Africa, wickets are very good for the spinners, if you try to spin the ball. The good thing about the wickets here us that it comes out quickly to the batters after pitching. Yes, you need to use your variations but it is difficult to pick. I am just focusing on the length and my tricks.

“I knew, If I will bowl quicker through the air they won’t have the chance to pull me over mid-wicket. In Durban and Port Elizabath, you try to spin the bowl more. I was surprised to see the wicket when Keshav was bowling in the first innings, few balls were turning.”

Kuldeep has been superb since coming back from his injury. “I struggled for a couple of years. After the surgery, I have made a few changes in my bowling, especially my run up. It is bit more aggressive now. Earlier, I was thinking too much about the shots batters are going to play but now I am focusing on my length.”

He also heaped heavy praise on Suryakumar Yadav, who smoked 100 off 56 deliveries and helped India go past 200. “Surya bhai’s batting was excellent. It was not an easy track to bat. The kind of shots he played towards the end were sublime,” said Kuldeep.

Kuldeep also spoke about India’s heartbreaking defeat in the grand finale of the 2023 ODI World Cup. “First week or ten days after the final was the most difficult. It was not easy to get that thought away from my mind. I keep thinking about what I could have done different.

“Cricket is very unpredictable, most of the time you don’t get the desired result. You learn and move forward.”