Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra helped me take my game to another level, says Siddarth Kaul

01/21/2019

Sunrisers Hyderabad star Siddarth Kaul has said that Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra’s guidance have helped him a lot in improving his length, line and speed. The fast bowler has been recently called up to the India squad ahead of their ODI and T20I series against New Zealand starting this week.

After some scintillating performances for India A down in New Zealand where Kaul managed to take seven wickets in three matches as India whitewashed the Kiwis 3-0 in the series, the 28-year-old was rightly called up by the national team for their next challenge.

Kaul had returned to his Ranji Trophy side, Punjab, following his India A heroics and continued his form, taking 23 wickets in six matches that included two five-wicket hauls. The five international matches old bowler has veteran fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra guiding him, and he has credited his vast improvement to them.

“It feels great when you have two legends – Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan – helping you to take your game to another level. They both played big roles in my rise. I have recently spent a decent amount of time with Zak paa (Zaheer Khan). I bowled and learnt many things under his supervision. He told me that the ethics are the same at the domestic and international levels, but when you play international matches, the margin of error becomes less.

“Meeting Zak paa was a huge experience for me. Due to their (Zaheer and Nehra's) guidance, I have improved my line, length and speed as well. Zak paa and Ashu bhai (Ashish Nehra) asked me to bowl as many deliveries in the nets as possible. They used to observe and give tips after that. He (Zaheer Khan) asked me not to experiment with anything and strengthen my basics. It was such a big learning experience.

“I have spent some time with Ashish Nehra at Sunrisers Hyderabad. He just said analyse the situation and (then) bowl accordingly. He said try to put yourself in the batsman’s situation. What will you do? Now do something to stop him,”said Kaul, reported TOI.

Though Kaul would have to compete with the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, he sounded more like a man with the plan when asked how to deal with New Zealand conditions

“It wouldn’t be easy as both (India and India A) are different platforms. I am just aware of the conditions as I recently played a number of matches in New Zealand. You have windy conditions in New Zealand. When I will go there, I will observe and will bowl accordingly. I want to give my 100 percent for the team,” said Kaul.

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