Kuldeep Yadav opens up on 'difficult days' after India's World Cup 2023 final defeat vs Australia

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Kuldeep Yadav has opened up on his feelings after India's World Cup 2023 final defeat at the hands of Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on December 19.

India were unbeaten in the tournament until the final, and were beaten by six wickets on the night of the final. Kuldeep Yadav went wicketless in his 10-over spell which saw him give away 56 runs.

The 29-year-old left-arm chinaman bowler said that the first ten days after the defeat were the most difficult. He said that he kept on thinking about the different things he could have done in the match.

“First week or ten days after the final was the most difficult. It was not easy to get that thought away from my mind. I keep thinking about what I could have done different,” Kuldeep Yadav, who picked 15 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 28.26 in the World Cup 2023, said.

“Cricket is very unpredictable, most of the time you don’t get the desired result. You learn and move forward," he added.

Kuldeep Yadav on Thursday became the bowler with best bowling returns on his birthday in men's T20Is. The Kanpur-born cricketer picked five wickets for 17 runs in the third T20I as India bundled out South Africa at 95 to win the match by 106 runs and level the 3-match series 1-1.

“It was special. Never thought that I will pick five wickets. I just wanted the team to win the match and I am happy to contribute. I was a bit concerned about my rhythm as I was bowling after a while. It was a perfect day, the ball was leaving the hand nicely, the condition was also suited for the spinners,” he said.

Kuldeep Yadav also reckoned that wickets in South Africa are good for spinners as the ball moves to the batters quickly after pitching. He said his focus in South Africa was on the lengths and his variations.

“In South Africa, wickets are very good for the spinners, if you try to spin the ball. The good thing about the wickets here is that it comes out quickly to the batters after pitching. Yes, you need to use your variations but it is difficult to pick. I am just focusing on the length and my tricks,” he said.

“I knew, If I will bowl quicker through the air they won’t have the chance to pull me over mid-wicket. In Durban and Port Elizabeth, you try to spin the bowl more. I was surprised to see the wicket when Keshav was bowling in the first innings, few balls were turning,” he added

The star spinner would now be seen in action in the ODI series which kicks off with the first match in Johannesburg on Sunday, December 17.