Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist-spinner for India and the Delhi Capitals, recalled an amusing Sachin Tendulkar-related anecdote from his time with the Mumbai Indians in 2012. Even though he did not play for the franchise in the fifth edition, Kuldeep shared the locker room with a number of elite cricketers.
Kuldeep Yadav, then 17 years old, was given the opportunity to join the franchise in 2012 after playing for India’s U19 team. During one of his formative net sessions, the left-arm spinner relayed an amusing anecdote about bowling to India’s greatest batsman, Tendulkar.
“Only during that season (IPL 2012) did I break into India’s U19 squad. I was 17 years old. The series in Australia was not a positive experience for me. Paaji (Sachin Tendulkar) wished for an early net session, so I bowled to him for the first time for approximately one hour. I fired him as well,” Kuldeep admitted on the ‘Breakfast with Champions’ program.
Tendulkar advised Kuldeep Yadav, “Such things will occur in the future, so don’t be disheartened.” Kuldeep Yadav reflects on this advice.
After the spinner’s poor performance in the series against the Australians, Kuldeep relayed Tendulkar’s words of wisdom. He also revealed that the Indian legend advised him to avoid the IPL’s glitz and glamour and instead maintain a healthy regimen in order to advance his career.
“Because I was so young, I discussed my experience in the Australia series and my bowling style. Paaji made me realize that similar occurrences will occur in the future and advised me not to be disheartened. Moreover, he instructed me on how to avoid the IPL’s lifestyle by controlling my diet, sleeping on schedule, etc.,” he added.
During the 2022 mega auction, Delhi Capitals paid INR 2 crore for the spinner from Uttar Pradesh. Kuldeep has played in nine matches and taken eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.74 in the current season. In contrast, Delhi sits at the bottom of the IPL points table with three victories and six points.
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