IND vs ENG 2024: I was actually using the drift – Kuldeep Yadav reveals his strategy on opening day

Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav revealed his game plan after bowling a fine spell on the opening day of the fifth Test match against England at Dharamsala on Thursday. Yadav, who made his debut at the same venue, returned with figures of 5-72, which is his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Kuldeep said he made the most of his drift to flummox the England batters. The left-arm spinner accounted for Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes, and Jonny Bairstow, who is playing his 100th Test match. There wasn’t much help for the spinners but Kuldeep reaped rewards for bowling in the right areas. Thus, Kuldeep played a key role in bundling out England at 218 after Stokes won the toss and decided to bat first.

The left-arm spinner also became the quickest spinner to clinch 50 wickets as he took just 1,871 balls to reach the milestone.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep made his debut at Dharamsala against Australia back in 2017 and bagged four wickets on the opening day.

“Thank you so much. I mean, it’s lovely to be back here. You know, I made my Test debut here, so I know the conditions very well. I played one Ranji game as well, so no, nothing much. You know, the wicket is good here to bat on and just trying to spin the ball most. And just the wind. I was actually using the drift. I think that’s very important when the wicket is flat,” Kuldeep told Sports 18.

The wrist-spinner added he has been working hard on his game after undergoing surgery in 2021 and he is enjoying his game at the top level.

“I’m enjoying my game. I mean, that’s a very important thing. I put in a lot of hard work from 2020, after the surgery, and it’s just the reward I’m getting now. I have been very consistent with my length and just working, working on a face as well. You know, that’s very important, especially when you play a test match in India. And, yeah, that’s what I am doing now and just enjoying bowling,” Kuldeep added.

India are currently 246-1, leading by 28 runs with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill batting in the nineties.