After MS Dhoni Retired, My Performance With the Ball Wasn't Great: Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav admits he felt a little lost after the retirement of MS Dhoni considering the influence the legendary captain on his bowling. Dhoni used to constantly talk with his bowlers, especially the youngsters helping them with plotting a batter’s dismissal.

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Kuldeep says the absence of Dhoni reflected on his performance and it took him some time before he became self-reliant.

“I wanted him (Dhoni) to play more because it was very easy for us when we were bowling,” Kuldeep told The Indian Express. “After Dhoni retired, my performance with the ball wasn’t great. It happens when a person guides you and that person’s influence is not there anymore, then suddenly everything is on your shoulders. It takes time for you to react to the situation… that probably happened to me. Then slowly you understand and become self-reliant.”

Kuldeep recalled how when Dhoni was behind the stumps for India, he didn’t have to brainstorm much with the skipper even setting the fields for him.

“But Chahal and I really enjoyed when Mahi bhai was keeping wickets, he used to give lots of ideas. I didn’t have to think too much when I was bowling. I just had to bowl and he would even adjust the fields. No doubt the time I had with Mahi bhai on the field and even off the field was great,” he said.

Kuldeep recently was part of India’s 4-1 Test series win over England and played a key role with the ball. The left-arm spinner though left quite an impression with his batting as well.

When asked if it’s his own doing or did the team management ask him to work on it, Kuldeep said, “The team management backed me but didn’t say I had to compulsorily do it.”

He continued, “They told me that I have a lot of batting skills, but didn’t put any pressure on me that I had to score runs. If I can contribute to the team in crucial situations, especially in Test cricket, the game changes (if the lower order scores runs). I had the ability and Vicky Paaji (batting coach Vikram Rathour) made me bat a lot (in the nets). He also kept me relaxed because when you don’t get runs, you tend to think a lot about what you have to do, saying I needed to stay calm and not take any tension, and focus on my bowling.

Kuldeep will next be seen in action for the Delhi Capitals during IPL 2024.