India’s top spinner Kuldeep Yadav has had a fantastic few years across formats, and one of the key reasons for that has been the modifications he has made to his bowling since the IPL 2022 season. Previously, Kuldeep was frequently seen warming the bench in both the IPL and for India.
Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun recently recounted an incident in which former head coach Ravi Shastri had an open talk with the left-arm wrist-spinner concerning the latter’s health.
According to Bharat Arun of the Indian Express, Ravi Shastri told Kuldeep Yadav the following:
“Boss, this puppy fat you have na has to be melted away… I can’t think of a single reason with improved fitness that you won’t become a world-class Test bowler.”
Bharat Arun
Arun feels Kuldeep Yadav’s leg injury in 2021 and subsequent recuperation provided him with adequate time to contemplate on his game, work on his conditioning, and improve as a bowler. He gave his opinion:
“It seems rather silly to say this but that injury, I think, gave him no option but to get fitter. He had to do all the hard rehab work, shed himself of that puppy fat, to continue his dream of playing cricket. And he has obviously worked a lot on his bowling – that energy through the crease is a standout feature now. It allows him to increase pace without sacrificing turn, loop, drift.”
Bharat Arun
Kuldeep’s faster and flatter trajectory has likely given hitters less time to pick him off the wrist. Those who wait to read the spin off the pitch are frequently outpaced by the left-arm wrist-spinner, which is where he has improved from his previous form.
Bharat Arun on Kuldeep Yadav’s improved fitness and performances
Bharat Arun provided insight on Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling technique and how it has helped him dominate batsmen when he is in his rhythm. Arun believes fitness had a significant role in Kuldeep’s salvation, saying:
“Now look at him (Kuldeep), quicker arm-speed, that bustle through the crease, near-perfect hand position at release, and it’s all going in the direction it ought to go – towards the batsman at the other end. With better fitness, his basics (of bowling action) taken care of, he is now actively channeling all his energy at the other end, trying to beat the man there.”
Bharat Arun
Through the current Test series against England, Kuldeep Yadav has nabbed 12 wickets across three matches, with an average of 22.58. His performance effectively validates his preferential selection as the third spinner, edging out all-rounder Axar Patel. Further, his presence has offered the desired versatility to the host team’s bowling ensemble.