Kuldeep praises Test captain Gill, says ‘He’s fully ready to lead us’
India's Kuldeep Yadav learns from Ravindra Jadeja ahead of England Test series, eyes crucial role in upcoming matches with spinners.
Kuldeep Yadav is learning from fellow spinner Ravindra Jadeja in preparation for India’s five-match Test series against England. The two spinners are taking a lot of time together, both on and off the field, sharing ideas and field positions. Kuldeep, having played just one Test in England previously, is benefiting from Jadeja’s knowledge and experience. “Playing alongside Jadeja is such a great honour for me,” Kuldeep said. “I’m really spending a great deal of time with him, not just on the field, but also off the field as well. So it has really helped me a lot from the tactical and field placing point of view, and he has offered some tips as well.”
Kuldeep has matured as a better bowler after his debut, and his record in Test cricket is impressive – 56 wickets in 13 Tests at an average of 22.16 with a strike rate of 37.3. No one spinner in Test history with 50 cut-off has done better than him. Jadeja’s all-round merit places him in line to be India’s go-to spinner on this tour, but Kuldeep should find himself in the mix if conditions permit them to play a second spinner.
India are playing a practice match within themselves in Beckenham currently, and Kuldeep anticipates that the pitch will begin turning on the third day. “There look like there will be spin-friendly wickets,” he said. “Practice match wicket was batting-friendly, but later in the game, I did feel there was some bounce for the spinners,” Kuldeep said. Kuldeep further said that the team members are hoping to have match practice and increase their volume, particularly after they have played a lot of T20 cricket in the recent months.
Kuldeep also heaped praise on India’s new Test captain, Shubman Gill, asserting that he’s absolutely ready to captain the team. “Shubman knows how to lead a team,” Kuldeep asserted. “He has worked under the seniors in the past two years. As a leader, at least as far as I have seen till now, he’s very enthusiastic and he’s been actively contributing to raising the team.” Gill has inherited the Test captaincy from Rohit Sharma’s retirement, and Kuldeep thinks that he’s got the class to lead the team successfully.
Also Read: Shubman Gill Opens Up On Rohit-Kohli’s Test Captaincy Ahead Of England Series
