'I couldn't say anything for 10 minutes' - Kuldeep Yadav recalls meeting Shane Warne for the first time
Kuldeep has so far featured in 6 Tests, 60 ODIs and 21 T20s and has scalped 24, 104 and 39 wickets respectively.
Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav never leaves a chance to speak good about former Australian leg spinner, Shane Warne. The legend has become Kuldeep’s friend and an equally great mentor for years now. The duo shares a great bond due to their similar bowling styles and there can’t be better guide for him than Warne.
Kuldeep made his Test debut during 2017 against Australia where Anil Kumble, then head coach for the team, introduced him to Warne. Kuldeep admits that the meeting was so special that he couldn’t utter a word for a few minutes as he was living the moment to its fullest.
During an interview to Instagram show ‘Live Connect’, Kuldeep told presenter Madonna Teixeira — “I met Shane Warne during a Test match in Pune. When I met him for the first time, Anil Kumble was our coach and I had told him I want to meet Shane Warne. When I finally did, I couldn’t say anything for 10 minutes.
He was talking with Anil bhai, explaining to him something. I was just listening to both of them. Then finally, I started to talk. We talked a lot. I told him about my plans, about how I feel while bowling, how I try to bowl from different sides of the wicket. He told me ‘You think a lot’.”
Shane Warne is mentally too strong: Kuldeep Yadav
Speaking further, the leg spinner emphasized on the fact that Warne is very strong with respect to mental aspect and he uses this against some batsmen. Both the spinners have been in constant touch since then and their bond has grown special over the years.
“I met him many times after that. He always used to guide me like a coach. Gradually he became like a friend. I spent a lot of time with him during our Australia tour. I always got the feeling that if I needed someone for suggestions he would be there. I chatted a lot on phone calls and messages.”
The 25-year-old bowler has so far featured in 6 Tests, 60 ODIs and 21 T20s and has scalped 24, 104 and 39 wickets respectively. He will be seen playing next for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2020 in UAE. He has been a great asset for the franchise as far as the spin attack is concerned.
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