Talented chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav is confident of living up to people's expectations
Kuldeep Yadav is only 19. But he is already burdened with huge expectations for being a rare commodity — a chinaman bowler. Such has been his impact that batting legend Sunil Gavaskar insisted that the youngster be immediately drafted into the Indian side after an impressive Champions League T20 campaign.
And, the selectors heard Gavaskar only to include the Uttar Pradesh youngster in squad for the ODI series against the West Indies although he did not make it to the playing XI.
With expectations come pressure. However, the talented Yadav isn't feeling any and wants to keep things simple with an aim to live up to the expectations.
"I know that people are following and are having huge expectations. I myself have some sort of expectations whenever I take the field. However, I don't take it as a pressure because I don't think about what others are thinking. I think and do what I have to do while I am bowling," Yadav told dna after landing in Mumbai for the practice game between India 'A' and Sri Lanka at the Brabourne Stadium scheduled on Thursday.
"Yes, there is a feeling that people are watching you. My family also has high hopes. Likewise, my coach and others. Even when I was picked for India, there was some pressure but it is important how you overcome it but putting your best foot forward," he added.
Yadav said he enjoyed his short stint in the Indian dressing room. "It was a memorable one. The feeling was quite normal and everyone was cool. The mood in the dressing room was victorious and light. Everyone was nice and cool to me," he added.
The Kanpur-born youngster has been a find for Indian cricket after his brilliant show in the Champions League T20 for Kolkata Knight Riders. He may not have the bulk of wickets to show but he impressed one and all with his rare talent, bowling with a mature head.
"I got to learn a lot from the Champions League. It was sometimes frustrating when I did not get to play during IPL, but then there were people like Wasim bhai, who always backed you, asking you to give the best and pushed you to work hard. Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) and Wasim bhai supported me big time during the Champions League and did not let me take any pressure, which resulted in me enjoying my bowling," he said.
During the tournament Yadav was also complimented by Gavaskar for having a big heart and the ability to come back. He also promised to keep his eyes on the youngster. "That was the best compliment I got," Yadav said.
"It meant a lot to me since those words came from a great."
Yadav finally made his first-class debut for Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy last week. And, he impressed with three wickets and a half-century.
"Duleep Trophy was a big match for me. I could not make it to the UP Ranji side as I was busy with my U-19 stint. Duleep Trophy was big because I got to bowl against the likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh. There was obviously some pressure but I chose to ignore it. It was good to bowl and especially scalping Yuvi paaji was a great feeling," he said.
"I always prefer bowling in first-class cricket compared to limited overs. You have a chance to make a comeback in this and I really enjoy a lot," he added.
On his next assignment, the limited-overs game against Sri Lanka, Yadav said: "Obviously, it is very important for me. From here on, every game is as important as every India game. I would want to put up my best show and perform well with the ball," said a confident Yadav.
Having struck 56 against North Zone in Duleep Trophy, Yadav revealed his love to batting. "I enjoy batting and have helped my state win many games with the bat. I would love to show my batting skills too," concluded Yadav.
Yadav so far
Format M Wkts BBI Ave Econ
First Class 1 3 3/94 31.33 4.08
T20 9 14 3/15 15.78 6.13
Know Kuldeep
Full Name: Kuldeep Yadav
Born on December 14, 1995 in Kanpur, UP
Is a slow left-arm chinaman
Is a left-handed batsman
Was picked in the 14-member Indian team against West Indies
Took six wickets in five games for KKR in CLT20
Started off his cricketing career as a fast bowler
Scalped a hat-trick against Scotland in U-19 World Cup 2014
Was a part of Mumbai Indians set up in 2012
Also bamboozled Sachin Tendulkar with a 'wrong-un' in the nets
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