Gautam Gambhir says pressure of IPL will make Kuldeep Yadav a better cricketer | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Gautam Gambhir says pressure of IPL will make Kuldeep Yadav a better cricketer

Dharamsala | ByPTI
Mar 29, 2017 06:51 PM IST

Gautam Gambhir, who will be leading Kuldeep Yadav in a week’s time in the IPL, feels that the youngster will benefit from playing in the T20 tournament

Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav’s fantastic Test debut has given rise to a school of thought that the youngster should be protected from the IPL where he plays for Kolkata Knight Riders but his team skipper Gautam Gambhir feels pressure of T20 will only make him better.

Kuldeep Yadav tormented Australia on the first day of the Dharamsala Test, picking four wickets in the lead up to India’s eight-wicket win in the match, while helped the hosts seal a 2-1 series win.(PTI)
Kuldeep Yadav tormented Australia on the first day of the Dharamsala Test, picking four wickets in the lead up to India’s eight-wicket win in the match, while helped the hosts seal a 2-1 series win.(PTI)

Gambhir, who will be leading Kuldeep once again in a week’s time, feels that the UP lad will be taking confidence going into IPL.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“I am very happy for him (Kuldeep) and would love to see him playing all three formats of the game. I am sure his progress in Dharamsala Test match will give the momentum, which he will get into IPL this season,” Gambhir told PTI talking about India’s newest spin sensation.

Read more | MS Dhoni’s personal info from Aadhar Card form leaked, wife Sakshi complains

Asked if Kuldeep needs to be kept away from IPL where a few bad matches can be confidence dampener, Gambhir said, “I don’t think so as pressure makes you a better human being and cricketer as well. What is the point in having the talent and not testing it in different circumstances or across different formats.”

For the veteran of 58 Tests, Kuldeep should be emulating the likes of Anil Kumble, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, who played longest format with distinction but held their own in shortest format.

“Anil bhai (Kumble) was a rare breed, so was Sehwag, Yuvraj, Tendulkar, Virat -- these cricketers don’t need any protection. They needed a challenge.”

Read more | Pakistani cricketer who brutally beat wife spared jail time in UK

However Gambhir gave ample indications that Kuldeep is very much in his scheme of things alongside overseas spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Sunil Narine during this season where he would probably give Kuldeep more matches.

“I hope he can finish the tournament with a Purple Cap (highest wickettaker in IPL). Need I say more,” Gambhir’s statement said it all.

Kuldeep till date has played 27 T20 matches in his career which includes both IPL matches for KKR as well as Syed Mushtaq Ali national T20 matches for Uttar Pradesh. He has 37 wickets from those games and an economy rate of 7.10 per over which is expected to get better as he plays more matches.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Catch all the Latest Cricket News, Live Cricket Score and IPL 2024 Schedule, Nepal vs Netherlands Live Score match updates along with Cricket Schedule, WPL 2024 and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Wednesday, March 06, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On