Kuldeep Yadav’s mentor Brad Hogg is open to national team return

10/03/2017

Brad Hogg, who mentored India’s youngest spin prodigy Kuldeep Yadav for two years during his Kolkata Knight Riders years, is keen on returning to the national side. However, the 46-year-old, who is still recovering from a recent knee surgery, is perfectly aware of the slim chances of that happening.

46-year-old Brad Hogg, who has played 145 international games for Australia in his career, has stated that he is ‘not done yet’ but remains realistic about his chances of making another comeback for Australia.

The chinaman bowler, who is still a regular in Australia’s Big Bash League and also played in IPL last year, still thinks himself fit enough to play for the Australian side and given Australia’s mammoth struggle to cope with India’s spin attack, it doesn’t sound improbable at all.

Speaking to PTI, Hogg said, “I am still trying to play First-Class cricket for Western Australia. I don't think I will ever announce my retirement from international cricket because it is a privilege to play for your country and if I am doing well enough.”

The spinner, who turns 47 coming February, has undergone a knee surgery as recently as three months ago, which he is still recovering from, knows quite well that chances of that happening are extremely low.

“If I get the opportunity to play again (for Australia), I would take it. Because once you are a long time retired (it is difficult to come back). If it stops now, it stops now, I know I won't get to play again. I am fortunate that at my age I am still wanted. Whether it happens or not, it is another matter but yeah, I am not done yet,” he added.

Hogg, who mentored Kuldeep Yadav for two years in his Kolkata Knight Riders years, could be quite handy in helping Australia with India’s magic spinner. The young chinaman bowler has been a thorn in the Australian side for quite some time now.

Prior to this ODI series, India had opted for Yadav in the Border-Gavaskar Test series earlier this year. He was given a chance in the fourth and final Test, where he outfoxed David Warner, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, and Pat Cummins after the lunch break in the first innings. Australia were wary of it and had even turned to local boy KK Jiyas before the first ODI game to get accustomed to the spin but to no avail.

Praising Yadav, Hogg has called for consistency from the 22-year-old stating that Kuldeep’s strength lies in his accuracy. Hogg remarked, "He has just got to make sure he is reliable when the captain calls him to bowl. The best cricketers in the world are consistent and reliable, they do the job."

Kuldeep Yadav’s mentor Brad Hogg is open to national team return

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