Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav was delighted with his performance in the second ODI against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Thursday after the home team won by four wickets to take an unassailable lead of 2-0. Yadav played an instrumental role in skittling out the opposition at a paltry score of 215 after the visitors decided to bat first.
Sri Lanka were in a convincing position at 102-1 but Yadav took three quick wickets to peg the opposition on the backfoot. The wrist spinner dismissed a well-settled Kusal Mendis and then accounted for the in-form Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka.
Charith Asalanka joined the list of soft dismissals as he gave an easy caught-and-bowl to Kuldeep. Ergo, in no time, Sri Lanka found themselves under the quagmire at 126-5.
Yadav revealed that he wants to make the most of his chances whenever he gets his opportunities in the final XI. The left-arm spinner added he has worked hard on his batting and fitness at the NCA and he is reaping rewards for the same.
Kuldeep said after he was awarded the Player of the match for his impressive bowling figures of 3-51, “I’m happy with my performance. Whatever opportunities I get, I try to do my best and back my abilities. When you play, you have to be focused while you can be relaxed when you aren’t in the 11. At the moment, I’m really enjoying my bowling. However, team combinations are important, I don’t think too much about it, just focused on doing my best when the chances come.”
He added, “You need to keep innovating, you can’t keep bowling at the same pace. I’ve worked on my batting, I keep my focus on that whenever I don’t get a game. In the last one year, I’ve worked a lot also on my fitness, all credit to the NCA coaches. It has helped me get into a rhythm and be more aggressive. Yuzi has always supported me, obviously he knew how the batters play having played the earlier games so he keeps advising me.”
Kuldeep had replaced injured Yuzvendra Chahal in the final XI and he was able to make the most of his chance. The left-arm has performed consistently in the recent past and this performance will give him a lot of confidence.
The third ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
