One of the primary reasons India’s top spinner Kuldeep Yadav has had such a fantastic couple of years in all formats is the adjustments he has made to his bowling during the IPL 2022 season. Prior to it, Kuldeep frequently found himself warming up on the bench for both India and the Indian Premier League.
Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun recently recounted an incident. In that, Kuldeep and Ravi Shastri had an open discussion over the former’s health. Bharat Arun cited Ravi Shastri as speaking to Kuldeep Yadav, according to the Indian Express.
He said, “Boss, this puppy fat you have na has to be melted away… I can’t think of a single reason with improved fitness that you won’t become a world-class Test bowler.”
After suffering an injury to his leg in 2021 and undergoing rehabilitation, Arun thinks Kuldeep Yadav had plenty of time to evaluate his performance. He also was able to improve his physical condition, and develop as a bowler.
Bharat Arun said, “It seems rather silly to say this but that injury, I think, gave him no option but to get fitter. He had to do all the hard rehab work, shed himself of that puppy fat, to continue his dream of playing cricket. And he has obviously worked a lot on his bowling – that energy through the crease is a standout feature now. It allows him to increase pace without sacrificing turn, loop, drift.”
“He is now actively channeling all his energy” : Bharat Arun on Kuldeep Yadav
Bharat Arun believes that Kuldeep’s comeback was greatly influenced by his level of fitness. According to him, he worked really hard on it and the results are there for everyone to see.
Former Team India bowling coach said, “Now look at him (Kuldeep), quicker arm-speed, that bustle through the crease, near-perfect hand position at release, and it’s all going in the direction it ought to go – towards the batsman at the other end. With better fitness, his basics (of bowling action) taken care of, he is now actively channeling all his energy at the other end, trying to beat the man there.”
