‘You gave me two-minute pep talk to not let batters loose’ - Kuldeep Yadav thanks Suryakumar Yadav for helping him maintain concentration

The Indian team’s sensational performances at the ongoing Asia Cup can be mostly credited to every player fulfilling his role in the squad to their best. The sensational performances by the likes of Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and many more have propelled the side into the summit clash of the marquee event.

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However, one star who has stood out for India in the Asia Cup 2023 has been ace spinner Kuldeep Yadav. With nine wickets in four matches, Kuldeep Yadav is the highest wicket-taker of the tournament and is in sensational form. The 28-year-old took five wickets against Pakistan in the Super Four stage of the competition and followed it up by taking four wickets against Sri Lanka, ensuring India’s place in the final.

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After India's win against Sri Lanka, star batter Suryakumar Yadav was seen engaging in a conversation with Kuldeep Yadav. In the interview, Kuldeep revealed that it was Suryakumar Yadav who helped him maintain his concentration. He opined that after taking five wickets against Pakistan, the body language of players can loosen. However, Suryakumar’s advice helped him stay focused.

"You gave me a two-minute pep talk to not let the batters loose. It happens when you take five wickets, you get relaxed. Despite maintaining the confidence level, the body language can get relaxed. So those two minutes were extremely important to me, and it helped me stay in the game, and I got mentally prepared to take wickets and do my duty for the team, so thank you, Surya bhai," Kuldeep Yadav said in a video shared by the BCCI.

I look to take the one opportunity to change the game: Suryakumar Yadav

In the same interview, Kuldeep Yadav asked Suryakumar Yadav about the brilliant game-changing catch that he took to dismiss Maheesh Theekshana at a crucial moment. Kuldeep asked how Suryakumar prepared himself to give his best in the field despite not playing as a batter.

"There is a lot of hard work behind the scenes; the one who is not playing is also trying his best, looking for his opportunity to play, but if you are getting the opportunity to field, I look towards how I can do a run-out or take a catch to change the game; I look to take the one opportunity to change the game," Suryakumar Yadav said.