Kuldeep Yadav's Aggressive Strategy Pays Off In T20 World Cup

Gros Islet, June 23 (PTI): Kuldeep Yadav's aggressive approach in the T20 format is yielding significant results during the Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup. The Indian wrist spinner has been instrumental in securing victories for his team.

Kuldeep, who has been India's top spinner across formats over the past year, was benched during the league stage in the USA due to the New York surfaces. However, he has become a key player on the spin-friendly tracks in the Caribbean Super 8s.

In just two games, Kuldeep has taken five wickets, including a three-wicket haul against Bangladesh on June 22. His success is largely attributed to his fearless approach, consistently tossing the ball from length even when facing aggressive batters.

Against Bangladesh, Kuldeep dismissed opener Tanzid Hasan with a googly and trapped Towhid Hridoy with a straighter ball. Shakib Al Hasan was his third victim. Kuldeep explained that maintaining his length is crucial for any spinner.

"For any spinner around the globe, the length matters a lot. And especially in this format, you have to read what the batter is trying to do and be more aggressive. That is actually helping me during IPL and it's actually helping me in T20 World Cup," said Kuldeep on Saturday.

Kuldeep will face a challenging test against Australia on Monday. When asked about sticking to his game plan under pressure, he stated: "When the other team needs like 10 or 12 runs per over and the batter is going against you, my plan is to just stick with the length."

"When they try to attack you, if you have a proper plan and are bowling at the right length, you have maximum chances of getting the batter out. So that is my thinking—not thinking I have to get him out, just focusing on the length," he added.

Kuldeep acknowledged that he was aware of the team's combination in the Caribbean, having missed out in New York due to pace-friendly conditions. He mentioned that he played as a 12th man there, assisting teammates and carrying drinks.

"Obviously, I wasn't playing. Actually, I was playing as a 12th man there. I was helping out teammates and carrying drinks. That is more like playing. I didn't bowl there but would have loved to," he said.

Kuldeep noted that he made his T20 ODI debut in the Caribbean back in 2017 and is familiar with the conditions. He emphasized sticking to his length and varying his pace as key strategies for success.

"Now in Super 8s, we have a lot of pressure as well. We're going to play Australia in a couple of days' time. The wickets are good for spinners, as you have seen in the last few games as well. We got four overs, and that was my plan—just sticking with the length and varying my pace," Kuldeep concluded.