I don’t believe video analysis can make a big difference in understanding my bowling, says Kuldeep Yadav

Ever since Kuldeep Yadav made his international debut in the fourth Test against Australia in Dharamsala last year, his career graph has been on an upward curve. He has become India’s lead spinner in limited-overs cricket and has been on the fringes in Test cricket. Having played 20 ODIs in his career so far, the chinaman has picked up 39 wickets at an average of 20.03 and a strike-rate of 25.03. Teams have found it difficult to pick him and hence, he has emerged as one of the leading wrist-spinners in world cricket at the moment. 

However, there is a general notion that teams will start picking him and score against him as he plays more. But Kuldeep doesn’t feel that is true. He thinks that modern technology or video analysis may not help teams dissect his bowling.

“Technology has been there for a long time. If you are turning the ball, drifting it and deceiving opposition batsman, nobody can stop you from being a successful spinner. I don’t believe video analysis can make a big difference in understanding my bowling,” Kuldeep was quoted saying by Hindustan Times.

“There are small aspects you work on, which no analyst can catch. It’s about understanding the batsman’s thinking and attacking him that way. How well you deceive him in the match situation is important. Those are the small things that you hone with regular practice, which becomes the differentiating factor,” he said. 

Kuldeep’s claims are backed by great numbers so far. Since making his India debut in March last year, he has scalped 60 wickets across formats in 30 games (out of which he has played only 2 Tests). The tour to South Africa was touted as one of the big challenges for Kuldeep after he had troubled the batsmen in home conditions. And he responded to that challenge in style and had a wonderful tour to South Africa where he picked up 17 wickets in 6 ODIs. His tally of 17 wickets was the most by any spinner in South Africa. 

“My aim was to take 15 wickets in six matches. I got two extra and I was very happy, especially because my role was important in the team’s series win. It was my first tour and there was not much pressure. My preparation was good. I worked with my coach in Kanpur and also in NCA. I had confidence and belief in my skills,” the 23-year-old chinaman stated.  

Kuldeep also forged a brilliant partnership with Yuzvendra Chahal and the duo together have bamboozled quite a few teams together. The spin twins have been one of the reasons for India’s recent success in white-ball cricket. Their style of bowling which is to go for wickets has helped them attack the batsman and the method has worked wonderfully for them.

“Sometimes, according to the situation you have to contain the batsmen. But our (Kuldeep and Chahal) main aim is to take wickets. We often get hit for fours or sixes but it has never deterred us. Our bowling style is not such that we will restrict the batsman too much, there will be runs but there will be wickets too,” Kuldeep added. 

The rise of these two wrist-spinners has seen Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja sit out of the ODI team. There has also been a lot of debate about the how wrist-spinners are more effective than finger-spinners. However, Kuldeep believes if a bowler can turn the ball, he can trouble the batsman. 

“For me, genuine wrist-spinners are those who can turn the ball both ways, give good flight and trouble the batsman. No matter the format, if he can turn the ball, the batsman will face problems. If any right arm off-spinner or left-arm (orthodox) spinner can turn the ball and create a problem for the batsman, then he will have the advantage. I don’t think it’s a case of whether wrist-spinners are better than off-spinners,” Kuldeep further added. 

Kuldeep Yadav has been one of the regular members of the Kolkata Knight Riders side over the last three years. KKR used their Right to Match (RTM) card to retain the chinaman bowler for Rs. 5.8 crore. 

“Definitely, responsibility will be more this time. It’s my fourth year with KKR and I am looking forward to it,” Kuldeep said.