Left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav is of the opinion that big hitter Andre Russell has some weakness against the turning ball. The tweaker further added that he has enough variations and tricks to outsmart the big-hitting Caribbean in the 2019 World Cup. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Andre Russell are integral members of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
Andre Russell has been the game changer for the Kolkata Knight Riders as he has scored runs at an exceptional pace and on a consistent basis. His run of consistency has been simply astounding, to say the least. Russell has smashed 257 runs in just 121 balls in the tournament so far and is all set for many more. The big man from Jamaica has maintained an exceptional strike rate of 212.39.
However, Kuldeep Yadav feels that he has found some limitations in Russell’s batting which he will try to use in the 2019 World Cup. Andre Russell has been the player of the tournament for KKR so far as his sublime hitting has helped KKR get over the line on at least a couple of occasions. He has also provided the much-needed stability with the ball.
“He has some problems facing a turning ball. If the ball is turning, then he has a weakness,” the 24-year-old said.
“It’s not just this, I’ve different plans to unleash against him in the World Cup. I know how to stop him and I’m very clear in my mind,” he added.
Kuldeep Yadav also revealed the fact that he has never bowled to Andre Russell in the nets to save his tricks for the big man in the World Cup. It might well be a tactical move from Kuldeep. He feels that Russell is a terror for the faster bowlers.
“He does not take chance against spinners. He’s a terror for pacers. And I’ve never bowled him at the nets. You are always under pressure when you’re hit for two sixes in a row. It’s important how you come back. All it takes is one ball to get the batsman out. You can assess a player’s character by that.”
In the last year or so, Kuldeep Yadav has emerged as one of the biggest wicket-takers for India in the limited overs format. However, in the ongoing IPL, he is yet to realize his form and hasn’t come up with a match-winning performance so far. The pitches have been difficult at times for him to bowl at but that shouldn’t be an excuse for a world class bowler like Kuldeep. However, he has backed himself and said that if he is not taking wickets that doesn’t mean he is bowling badly.
“If I’m not getting wickets it does not mean I’m not bowling well. Now I play as a matured cricketer and think more about the team. Even as I’m not taking wickets, my economy rate is tight. I feel in this IPL batsmen are not attacking me so much. The batsmen are no more hitting big shots against me. I’m conceding three-four boundaries in every match which means batsmen are trying to play safe barring one match against Delhi.”
“It’s such a format, you may have a bad day where you’re hit for runs. I’m not a magician who will do well in every match. You cannot say I will take so many wickets,” he said.
The tight schedule of the IPL and the World Cup will surely exhaust the players but Kuldeep Yadav feels all cricketers are professionals and are smart enough to handles themselves and their workload.
“IPL is very different than the World Cup. There’s no pressure in franchise cricket. You are under a lot of pressure when you play for India. Someone doing well in IPL also struggles for India. But of course, you carry that confidence,” Kuldeep concluded.
Kuldeep Yadav has been one of the standout bowler in the shorter formats of the game. He will play an important role in India during the World Cup. Kuldeep made a significant impression when India toured England last year. He bagged a couple of 5 wicket hauls in 6 limited overs matches and was the wrecker in chief for India. His bowling combination with Yuzvendra Chahal might prove to the X factor for India in the World Cup.