Team India’s talented left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has shared that they were confident of defending 230 in the 2023 World Cup match against England on Sunday. As per Kuldeep, it was a matter of getting a couple of early wickets in the powerplay to make it tough for England. Notably, India beat England by 100 runs in Lucknow. Sent into bat after losing the toss, the Indian team were held to 229/9 despite captain Rohit Sharma’s 87. In response, England were bowled out for 129 in 34.5 overs as well. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami scalped two wickets each in the powerplay to reduce England to 39/4.
Kuldeep Yadav said at a post-match press conference: “We knew on this surface a target of 230 can be defended. Rohit bhai played a good knock. It was all about getting two wickets in the Powerplay which Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami did. Then they were four down and it becomes difficult. As a spinner, I just had to maintain that pressure on England. It feels good to bowl at home. There was spin, but there was also the dew factor. It was all about bowling the right lengths. I did well but more importantly, the team won and that gives me joy.”
However, Kuldeep Yadav (2/24) has also bowled well, cleaning up Jos Buttler (10) with a stunner and then Liam Livingstone (27). Before his bowling performance, he also scored with the bat. He scored an unbeaten 9 off 13 balls and added a handy 21-run stand with Bumrah for the ninth wicket as well.
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“I am working hard on my batting. [If] I contribute 10-15 runs, it helps the team. The last 25-odd run partnership helped us to reach a good target of 230. I felt that we can defend it. It’s not like I’m only batting in matches. I’m also working on my batting in practice,” he added.
However, he stated that the Lucknow surface that was used for the match against England on Sunday was a good wicket for ODIs. He again shared that the 50-over format is all about testing various skills as well.
“100% it was a good wicket. It was challenging. 50-over [cricket] is all about skill. If you are set, then batting is easy and at night the ball was seaming well, and if you have quality seamers, then you are always in the game. 100% this was perfect wicket for one-day,” he said. “Both the balls were good. I think both the balls were the same. There were no changes. The quality is important, and the quality of the players is also very important. They were very important wickets. And the team won – that is more important.”
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However, Kuldeep Yadav empathized with England, who are having a poor run in the 2023 World Cup. The defending champions are placed at the last of the points table, with only one win from six matches.
“They are a fantastic team and changed the way the game is played over the last few years. All teams tend to have these low phases. As for us, we just want to play good cricket and not think too much about the opposition,” Kuldeep Yadav concluded.
