With Mahendra Singh Dhoni gearing up to become just the sixth Indian player to cross the 300-matches mark in One-Day Internationals, young spinner Kuldeep Yadav has lavished praise on the World Cup-winning skipper. The Chinaman off-spinner, who made his international debut more than 13 years after Dhoni arrived at the international stage, said that he feels extremely proud playing alongside such a legend.
India has already sealed the ongoing five-match series by winning the first three games but Kuldeep is yet to get a match under his belt. However, he hoped to be on the field when Dhoni plays his 300th game.
“There are no words to describe him. If you interact with him, like I have been doing for last six months, I keep talking to him about my bowling. Even when I am playing the match I keep talking to him. There is no one better than him to judge you because he is watching from behind the wickets and he keeps telling me what I need to. I feel very proud that I am playing with him and very lucky that I could be playing in his 300th game. So obviously there is much to learn from him if a legend like him is with me,” Kuldeep told the journalists on Tuesday (August 29).
Meanwhile, Dhoni, who has been under the spotlight in recent times for his poor form, has managed to give his critics a fitting reply by playing two match-winning knocks in the last two ODIs and will be keen to continue his form when India take on Sri Lankan in the fourth ODI on Thursday (August 31).
Kuldeep further spoke on his experience with current coach Ravi Shastri and his predecessor Anil Kumble. The 22-year old, who made his debut during Kumble’s spell in March this year, said that he has received the same treatment from both the coaches.
“I think they both have treated me in the same manner. I don’t find any difference as such and I don’t think too much about this aspect. I focus more on how I can improve myself for the team. For this, I used to speak with Anil sir and I speak with Ravi sir also for the same thing. The good thing is that they are both supportive of me. Like Anil sir used to tell me about plans, Ravi sir also tells me about different bowling plans. So I don’t think there is any difference as such in their approach,” Kuldeep said.