Kuldeep Yadav accepts that missing MS Dhoni behind the stumph plays a crucial role in his career downgrade. Yadav didn’t feature in a single game for KKR in IPL 2021 despite being retained.
The chinaman spinner admitted being shocked on not getting a spot in the playing XI even in the Chennai leg.
Kuldeep Yadav on missing MS Dhoni
In a recent interview, Kuldeep admitted that he misses the guidance of former India skipper MS Dhoni. The former wicketkeeper-batsman was an integral reason behind the success of ‘Kul-Cha’.
Dhoni was often seen suggesting bowling plans to the pair from behind the stumps, and he would often back them when chips were down.
“Sometimes I miss that guidance because he (Mahi) has great experience. He used to guide us behind the wicket, kept screaming! We miss his experience,” Kuldeep said in an interview with IE.
”Rishabh is there now, the more he plays, the more input he will give in the future. I always felt every bowler needs a partner who can respond from the other end,” Kuldeep added.
Watch Dhoni’s guidance to Kuldeep and Chahal
Kuldeep Yadav’s career has been on a free fall since the 2019 IPL and the left-arm leg-spinner, who was hailed by head coach Ravi Shastri as India’s first-choice overseas spinner in early 2019, doesn’t even warrant a permanent place in the playing 11 anymore.
Not only Kuldeep Yadav but his former partner-in-crime Yuzvendra Chahal has also been under constant decline in the past 12-18 months.
“When Mahi bhai was there, I and Chahal were playing. Ever since Mahi bhai left, Chahal and I haven’t played together. I played only a handful of games after Mahi bhai left,” he further said.
“I must have played ten-odd games. I had even taken a hat-trick. If you look at the performance as a whole, it will look pretty decent but if one breaks it up then my performance sometimes can look not up to the mark,” he said.
Since the last World Cup, Kuldeep Yadav has featured in 12 ODIs in which he has managed 12 wickets at an average of 58.41 and an economy rate of 6.31.
