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"He Told Me About…" Kuldeep Yadav On How Pietersen Helped Him For England Tour During IPL

Aashay Chopade

Kuldeep Yadav in Test cricket (Source:@LoyalSuryaFan/X.com)Kuldeep Yadav in Test cricket (Source:@LoyalSuryaFan/X.com)

India started the five-match series against England with a five-wicket loss, and it was the bowling department that proved to be a problem on the final day of the game. Thus, since the loss, there have been calls to change the bowling personnel, with many cricket pundits advocating for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav.

The practice sessions ahead of the second Test also indicate that India can go with Kuldeep Yadav. He brings genuine wicket-taking ability to the table, and the pitch in Edgbaston could help his style of bowling. Now, ahead of the game, Kuldeep Yadav has opened up on his preparation and how Kevin Pietersen helped him to understand English conditions better during IPL.

Kevin Pietersen Wants Kuldeep To Go With Attacking Mindset

The Indian spinner, in an exclusive chat with Indian Express, stated that Kevin Pietersen provided him with insights on fielding position, pitches and English batters. Kuldeep also added that the former England batter emphasised the necessity of having the right mindset while bowling in the UK.

“Kevin Petersen was part of our team at DC. He gave me a lot of inputs for the England tour. He told me about fielding positions, pitches and the batsmen. We ran through their batting line up. He told me about the mindset needed in England,” Kuldeep told The Indian Express. 

According to Kuldeep, Pietersen feels that spinners come to England with a defensive mindset and try to take a supporting role. The DC spinner then added that his mentor wanted him to shed away from that attitude and always go for the wicket-taking option.

“Pietersen said that generally spinners come to England with a defensive mindset. They think that in England, fast bowlers will get wickets and they will be in a supporting role. He told me to take the field with an attacking mindset. If I get a game and bowl 15 to 20 overs, I have to always think about how to get the batsmen out.”

Thus, it is highly likely that Kuldeep will come out with an aggressive mindset if he plays the second Test against England in Edgbaston. There are high chances that Jasprit Bumrah will be rested for the game and so India would need a wicket-taking bowler like Kuldeep Yadav to step up.