How mysterious is Kuldeep Yadav? India’s hat-trick man has an answer

Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar and Pat Cummins in the 33rd over to help India defeat Australia by 50 runs in the second ODI and go 2-0 up in five-match series.

Kuldeep Yadav, who became only the third Indian to take an ODI hat-trick, says he prefers the word quality over mystery. The Chinaman bowler added that being termed a ‘mystery spinner’ doesn’t amaze him. (India vs Australia 2nd ODI: HIGHLIGHTS)

Kuldeep Yadav became the third Indian to take a hat-trick in ODIs during the India vs Australia second match in Kolkata.(REUTERS)

The 22-year-old Kuldeep stole the limelight in the second ODI against Australia by becoming only the third Indian cricketer to pick up a hat-trick in the 50-over format, after Kapil Dev and Chetan Sharma. Kuldeep, who dismissed Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar and Pat Cummins to achieve the feat, claimed that bowling quality balls is the biggest mystery.

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“I don’t believe in mystery. Mystery to ye hoti ke ajeeb-o-gareeb action se ball phenk di. Mera action ekdum smooth hai, ball bohot achchhi nikalti hai. I don’t like this tag. Bowling quality balls is the biggest mystery. Even Sunil Narine — you can’t say that he is mystery, he mixes up well, it’s his kalakaari. Shane Warne was not mystery; it was his skill, his quality. I prefer the word quality over mystery,” Kuldeep Yadav was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

The Indian spinner recalled that the Warne was the biggest bet in world cricket when he started his career. Kuldeep, who has taken 16 wickets in nine ODIs so far, said if he can achieve 20-30 per cent of what the Australian leg-spinner did for his country, he can consider himself successful.

READ | Kuldeep Yadav takes hat-trick in India vs Australia ODI, 3rd Indian to do so

“When I started, Shane Warne was the biggest name in spin bowling. My coach used to show me his videos and tell me that bowl like him, copy him. He wanted me to release the ball as Warne would, drift and turn the ball as he would. Mera maksad abhi bhi ye hi hai ke 20, 30 per cent bhi Warne ki tarah ban gaya to samjho meri life safal ho gayi,” he added.

Kuldeep also recalled the ‘nervous’ night before his Test debut and what all went through his mind when he stepped on to the field.

“It was on the eve of the (Dharamsala) Test that Anil Kumble sir told me that I might play tomorrow. Paanch wicket layni hain, he said. At that time I said, very confidently, zaroor lunga sir. But when he left, I became very nervous. Practice kar ke, thak ke aaya tha, to kuchh samajh mein nahi aa raha tha. I slept at nine, but woke up at 3 am. I kept tossing and turning in the bed, waiting for dawn to break. But the time wouldn’t pass. I started pacing up and down in my room.

“When I went to the ground and got the Test cap, it was like a blur. Two-three overs went like that. Then I became normal. I felt as if it was another Ranji Trophy match. When I came to bowl, I knew this was the moment. There was pressure, but I wasn’t scared or anything,” he concluded.