Kuldeep Yadav never labeled himself a mystery spinner, asserts Piyush Chawla

The Kolkata Knight Riders led by Dinesh Karthik were a surprise package in the last edition of the Indian Premier League, where the Shahrukh Khan co-owned franchise narrowly missed making the final after losing out to Kane Williamson’s Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final qualifier.  However, the youngsters in the squad stood out with the performance with the ball and bat over the course of the tournament last year.

Amongst them was left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav impressed with the ball as he picked up a total of 17 wickets. And his KKR teammate and former India spinner, Piyush Chawla, heaped praise on Yadav as he reckoned that the latter would definitely be an invaluable addition to the India squad at the upcoming World Cup.

“Kuldeep never labelled himself a mystery spinner. The term of being a mystery spinner is a myth. The main thing about Kuldeep is that he is a skilful bowler. You need to make that skill powerful and Kuldeep is working on that. The main thing about Kuldeep is he is not afraid of getting hit. I worked a lot with him in UP and here in KKR as well.

“Kuldeep is bowling really well. He has been consistent in the last few months. With him and Chahal I think India has two wicket-taking wrist spinners. If there are belters in the World Cup, the responsibility of the wrist spinners will increase. It is an advantage for the leg spinners even in belters,” Chawla told PTI sources.

Chawla, who has a peculiar record of bowling more than 1000 dot balls with the Kolkata-based franchise, said that he is highly confident in the bowling attack that the KKR management has assembled for the 12th edition of the IPL.

“I think KKR has enough in their armoury to conquer any pitch. But obviously would love to play all the matches in Eden. I wish we play all our games here. I love the stadium and the support we receive there,” Chawla concluded.