Kuldeep Yadav at TOISA 2025 in Lucknow.
LUCKNOW: Kuldeep Yadav has been the cornerstone of India’s attack since his arrival, maintaining the same calm and team-first attitude both on the field and on the bench. Speaking on the sidelines of the TOISA conference, the Kanpur-born pacer spoke about his journey, recent heights and what lies ahead for him in the future.
Excerpts…How does it feel to win two T20 World Cups in a row?It’s an incredible feeling. Representing the country in itself is a blessing, and to win something for India while wearing the blue jersey is truly special.Was that the most important moment of your career?For me, the biggest moment was playing cricket. I wasn’t interested at first, but my father encouraged me and enrolled me in the academy. From there to playing at different levels and ultimately for India, it has been an amazing journey. I feel lucky that my father showed me the right path.
During your journey to win the T20 World Cup this time, was there a moment that made you emotional?Watching Sanju Samson score those crucial goals during the knockout stage of the World Cup made me emotional. I know him well, and over the last year he has been batting brilliantly in T20 matches, although he has not always gotten opportunities due to combinations. Seeing him get things done when it matters and help India win was very special.How are your preparations for the upcoming IPL?We (Delhi Capitals) have a very strong team and performed well last season. Personally, my approach is simple – go out there and get wickets.
When will preparations begin? Audi World Cup?We are still 15-16 months away from the World Cup, so preparations will begin gradually, starting with the tour of England later this year. I have been playing ODI matches for almost nine years and it has been a rewarding format for me. The goal will be to replicate those performances on a larger stage.
