Kuldeep Yadav says switching the format never a problem for him

NEW DELHI: Kuldeep Yadav, who last played a Test match almost two years ago, made a memorable comeback to red ball cricket by taking a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the first Test against Bangladesh.
The left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep has been a regular feature for India in the limited overs cricket but only played eight Test matches since making his debut in 2017.
The 28-year-old Kuldeep reckons switching the format has never been a problem for him as wrist spin doesn't depend on the surface a lot.
"Due to my bowling style, I don't have switch-over problems. Yes, when you are bowling in Tests, you need more control and you have to really earn your wicket as batters have a long time to get set and measure you up," said Kuldeep.
"The field positions change, formations are different and bowling one area consistently for long periods is another challenge."
Kuldeep also adapted to Test cricket conditions quickly as he said he never felt he hadn't played Test cricket for nearly two years.
Having set an improbable target of 513, Kuldeep is confident that he along with Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel will be able to give his team a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
"Kahne ke liye toh do saal hain par mujhe kabhi feel hi nahi huwa (It might be nearly two years (22 months) but I never felt it that way," a smiling and seemingly content Kuldeep told mediapersons after his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket on Friday.
Kuldeep had a knee surgery in 2021 just before the second phase of IPL in the UAE and was out for a considerable period of time before making a comeback.
"If I wouldn't have played any cricket post injury, then it's a struggle. But for last one year, I have been continuously playing white-ball cricket and also played red-ball series against New Zealand (A series).
"I bowled long spells in that series. If you are with the team (national), then you don't feel that pressure," said the 28-year-old Kanpur man, who now has 31 wickets in his 8th Test.
As far as the current Test match is concerned, Kuldeep assessed that the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium track is a batting belter, having himself batted on the wicket for close to 20 overs during the Indian first innings.
"I believe the pitch is perfect to bat on. It was really good to bat on even against spinners. Yes some balls are keeping low and the odd ball turning. Me and Ash bhai (R Ashwin) were initially looking at a first innings score of 360 but as time passed, batting became easier so we looked at a 400-run total."
Bowling in tandem with Ashwin and Axar Patel has been an "enjoyable experience" for Kuldeep as there is always relentless pressure from both ends which results in breakthroughs at regular intervals.
About the position of the match, Kuldeep feels that with 180 overs left across two days, the Indian team has enough time to wrap it up.
"We are expecting more turns off the surface in the second innings compared to the first innings."
(With PTI Inputs)