Shane Warne asked me to be calm under pressure and give big smile, says Kuldeep Yadav

After a horrible outing at the Lord’s in England where Kuldeep was hit for 44 runs in nine overs, the wrist spinner was sent back home by the management in order to prepare for the Australia A series. It was a difficult time to Kuldeep in red-ball cricket and while he bounced back instantly in the West Indies series on home soil, his real test was in India’s upcoming tour of Australia.

Known primarily for his mystery bowling in white-ball cricket, Kuldeep had a make or break chance when India went Down Under. And while he was in some form, scalping five wickets in Sydney conceding 99 runs, Kuldeep revealed that his biggest help there was Warne.  

“We met every morning of the Test matches. Before the Tests, I was bowling well, so I told him I'm in good rhythm, getting turn and getting everything I wanted to get out of my bowling. He looked at my action and spoke to me about handling different situations, how to bowl when you're under pressure. The kind of body language you should have. He told me: when you're under pressure, remain calm and give a big smile,” said Kuldeep Yadav in an interview to ESPN Cricinfo.

However, Warne was as much of a help technically as he was psychologically as Kuldeep explained, “He looked at one replay on commentary and suggested minor changes with my bowling arm. He pointed to my knees bending at the time of release, and body alignment. He felt if it is straight, I'd be able to use my core better and be able to flight the ball more.”

“He also spoke to me about the kind of fields you need to set in Australia. The lengths you need to vary for your stock ball, googly and flipper. I was like, "Wow, this man is like an encyclopaedia." He demonstrated by bowling left-handed. Even now, from time to time he sends me texts and I remain in touch with him with him on WhatsApp. It has been great to have his support,” he added.