Despite the Pakistani team being unable to read India spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s hand during the important ODI World Cup 2023 match, Yadav feels he was able to confuse them into taking high-risk sweep strokes.
The crucial dismissals of Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed by Kuldeep, who both attempted an unsuccessful sweep shot against the left-arm wrist spinner, hastened Pakistan’s downfall.
Kuldeep responded in an intriguing manner when asked if he intended to bowl Iftikhar under his legs. Kuldeep spoke to the media after the 7-wicket win over Pakistan in ODI World Cup 2023. He said, “No, I didn’t plan that I would try to bowl Iftikhar around the legs but since I bowl the wrong ‘un (googly), I tried that but it was a wide ball and also a bit on the shorter side which made it difficult for him to sweep.”
Iftikhar, who Pakistani fans affectionately know as “chacha” (Uncle), played the ball onto the stumps. Kuldeep also spoke about his wicket after the game as he said, “It was lucky wicket for me and this kind of wicket puts pressure on batters. They weren’t able to read me from the hands and were in two minds whether to sweep or play normally. I would have loved to get him out in a better manner though.”
“Planning to bowl that extra over did get us”: Kuldeep Yadav
The Delhi Capitals spinner spoke about the discussion between him and Team India skipper Rohit Sharma during their innings against Pakistan in the ODI World Cup 2023.
He concluded by saying, “I thought they would try to sweep as they are known to play that shot. But they didn’t take a chance but that extra over that I bowled after discussing with the skipper, both wickets came in that over. Obviously, Mohammed Siraj got Babar and that breakthrough helped. Planning to bowl that extra over did get us those two wickets and they couldn’t recover.”
Fans react as Kuldeep Yadav reveals conversation with Rohit Sharma during India-Pakistan clash in ODI World Cup 2023: –
Kuldeep Yadav said "Rohit bhai told me to bowl an extra over, that worked as I got 2 extra wickets against Pakistan". [TOI] pic.twitter.com/oCjSeHZcnq
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 16, 2023
An ex Pakistani cricketer said that Shadab Khan is mix of Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav,
he bats like Kuldeep and Bowl like Rohit ?— ??M?? ???????? (@PKMKB_93K) October 16, 2023
The caption
The mayth
The legend ?? pic.twitter.com/At10RZsmSi— Kailash Talnia (@DiL_waLa_0) October 16, 2023
Rohit's captaincy was fantastic. Some of his rotations worked wonderfully for him.
— Sæn (@TheHelmetPunch) October 16, 2023
Rohit's captaincy was fantastic. Some of his rotations worked wonderfully for him.
— Sæn (@TheHelmetPunch) October 16, 2023
Leading from Front pic.twitter.com/yO58utlr6l
— Aasim Farooqui (@AsmFar07) October 16, 2023
Hit man ??? pic.twitter.com/vUtdHSzQTc
— Praveen Jaishnav (@PJaishnav) October 16, 2023