I’ve different plans for Andre Russell in World Cup, says Kuldeep Yadav

While Kieron Pollard and MS Dhoni have had their cameos with the bat from time to time, there has been only one man becoming a thorough entertainer in IPL this season – Andre Russell. Playing 121 balls so far, batting deep down the order, the West Indian has garnered 257 runs at a mammoth strike rate of 212.39. 

However, while most IPL bowlers are terrorized of the hard-hitter, teammate Kuldeep Yadav has closely observed Russell and has stated that he would be able to outwit the batsman when the time comes on the biggest stage. 

"He has some problems facing a turning ball. If the ball is turning, then he has a weakness. "It's not just this, I've different plans to unleash against him in the World Cup. I know how to stop him and I'm very clear in my mind," said the 24-year-old, reported PTI.

Yadav also revealed that although he has been sharing the dressing room with Russell for more than two years now, he has never bowled to him at the nets and Russell has always prefered pacers over spinners. 

"He does not take chance against spinners. He's a terror for pacers. And I've never bowled him at the nets. You are always under pressure when you're hit for two sixes in a row. It's important how you come back. All it takes is one ball to get the batsman out. You can assess a player's character by that."

Kuldeep has played six matches for KKR so far, conceding 171 runs at an economy rate of 7.77, managing to take only three wickets. However, the wrist spinner has been of the opinion that he has matured as a cricketer and taking wickets don’t necessarily mean one has a good game. 

"If I'm not getting wickets it does not mean I'm not bowling well. Now I play as a matured cricketer and think more about the team. Even as I'm not taking wickets, my economy rate is tight. I feel in this IPL batsmen are not attacking me so much. The batsmen are no more hitting big shots against me. I'm conceding three-four boundaries in every match which means batsmen are trying to play safe barring one match against Delhi."

"It's such a format, you may have a bad day where you're hit for runs. I'm not a magician who will do well in every match. You cannot say I will take so many wickets," he added.