Former Australian left-arm spinner Brad Hogg highly praised the Indian chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. They have a good relationship with the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they both served for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where Kuldeep is still serving.
Talking about the Kuldeep Yadav’s mankind, Hogg quoted according to The Indian Express, “Kuldeep would be perfect role model for a son I would want. He is a fantastic human being. Genuine, authentic, and someone who keeps it real.”
Speaking about their present relations, Hogg said, “I have to say it has now reached a stage where I find myself just congratulating him on the recent achievements. Four years back, it used to be a lot more technical or strategical and tips if I had any, but now, it has reached a nice little congratulatory notes.”
Hogg also revealed that it took four years for Kuldeep to call the Aussie senior from “Sir” to “Hoggy”. He said, “It took me four years to convince him! I have huge respect for him as he respects his peers but he has also got to understand that he has worked extremely hard and has earned his stripes now. Mind you, he is pretty cheeky too, not shy in throwing the birthday cake at your face!”
Hogg recalled his memory when he had met with Kuldeep for the first time. Hogg quoted, “When I met him four years ago, I felt he was a well-rounded young man. He worked bloody hard, listened a lot, asked questions; immediately you knew that here is a guy who is serious about his career.”
Talking about their early discussion, the two-time world cup winning spinner said, “I remember telling him that cricket isn’t just about bowling; fitness can allow him to fully unearth his potential in every aspect.”
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Speaking about Kuldeep’s bowling quality, Hoggy said, “He has the talent, he has the knack technically, tactically and mentally. He is very switched on. He knows where he wants to go. He knows his strengths, he knows his weaknesses, and he knows what areas he wants to work on.”
Hogg added, “You see there are many kids, who get a lot of advice from many people, and get very eager to implement it to show they can. But you have to be very careful what works for you, and what doesn’t. I still think Kuldeep would be a better bowler if he manages to do that adjustment, but what works in theory isn’t going to turn out in practical terms.
“He is a self-aware individual, and he had no problems in telling me it wasn’t working for him. That’s probably the thing I have been impressed with him over the last year and half. He has been able to improve, and yet not taking on things that would hold him back. There is a lot of knowledge out there, there are lots of people who have played the game, but we have to remember, what works for one player might not work for another player.”
Hogg gave an example by saying that once he advised Kuldeep that he would like him to straighten up in the delivery stride. After spending a few sessions at the nets, Kuldeep returns to Hogg and said, “Sir, I am not going to do it. It’s not working for me.”
Hogg also impressed with 23-years old Kuldeep’s using of variations. Hogg commented, “Young spinners don’t often realise the importance of stock ball. The variations work because they are variations, you know. Kuldeep gets that. You won’t see him trying too many different things in a spell, at least in the longer formats.”
Speaking about Kuldeep’s bowling ability, Hogg added, “Drastic reductions in pace doesn’t work in longer formats. It’s those little variations that does the trick: it’s what draws the batsmen forward into a loose drive when he shouldn’t and induce mistakes.
“The way he can deliver the leggie, the wrong’un and the backspinner – he has got a lot of variations already. It’s in these little things, variations that he is going to get more effective. I have seen him of late grow leaps and bounds. He keeps it simple. This is his true character. He doesn’t get too far ahead of himself. He knows what works for him. Your intuition comes into play with more experience at the higher level. He is developing a lot quicker than lot of others. And that goes back to his character: willing listener, and willing to think and work harder.”
Hogg also revealed that if he observes some issues on Kuldeep’s bowling in the international circuit, he send him a message.
Hogg also praised the Indian captain Virat Kohli and the Indian head coach Ravi Shastri for providing a chance to the youth players like Kuldeep Yadav. Hogg said, “It’s all about the Indian team. I think Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri have done a fantastic job in embracing characters. Young players are being treated as equal. You have to obviously respect the people who take decisions, but in general what I hear is there is no segregation, no dominating hierarchy. I think they are a very close unit. You can tell it from the how happy the young players like Kuldeep are in the set-up.”
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Hogg also believes that Kuldeep can do well in the overseas Tests. Talking about India’s next big away Test series on the England soil, Hogg spoke out, “Oh, he is ready. A quality wrist spinner always does well against England. I know it’s hard on Ashwin and Jadeja, and if India can play Ashwin as the all-rounder and squeeze in Kuldeep, it would be great. And if they need just one spinner, I think he is ready for it. He is not a T20 and ODI specialist, he is the real deal. Throw him in the Tests, I say!”
Talking about Kuldeep’s success chance on the Australian soil, Hogg believes that he can do well. Hogg told, “In Australia, you need someone with a lot of over spin, to go with the ability to rip it side-ways too, and that’s the reason behind Nathan Lyon’s success here. Kuldeep can do it.”
