Kuldeep Yadav on his Test debut: Was very nervous, got up at 3 am and wanted to wake Virat Kohli

Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Kuldeep Yadav is currently training with the squad in Abu Dhabi and believes that the franchise has the team to win IPL 2020.

The two-time IPL winners, after having won the titles in 2012 and 2014, are now vying for their third title in the UAE.

In an interview on kkr.in, the spinner went back in time to 2017 and spoke about his debut for India.

The Australian Test side led by Steve Smith were in India for a four-Test tour, and Kuldeep Yadav had been included in the Indian squad for the series.

In the first Test match in Pune, Australia hammered India by 333 runs, and Kuldeep was in the dressing rooms to watch the loss. In the next two Tests as well, where India won a game and drew the next one, Kuldeep’s position remained the same.

The fourth Test was in Dharamshala’s HPCA stadium. It was to be the maiden Test match at the picturesque stadium, and this is where Kuldeep got an opportunity to make his Test debut for India.

Kept preparing for debut opportunity with Anil Kumble

Looking back at his debut, Kuldeep Yadav said. “It was an honour! I was on the bench for three matches but kept preparing myself with Anil sir (Kumble), our then coach. He backed me a lot. He exactly knew the kind of mindset young spinners have.

“I remember, a day before the debut, we were having lunch together. He told me, you are playing tomorrow and I want 5 wickets from you. I was a little intimidated but I confidently said that I would definitely take.

“I slept early at 9PM and got up at 3AM, confused and nervous. I wanted to wake up Virat bhai who was next doors. But I was sure he would get mad at me. So, I went back to sleep and got up at 6AM.”

Kuldeep said that all the nervousness disappeared when he got on the field, and all the team members joined in.

Kuldeep Yadav went on to take four key Australian wickets in his debut match, and remembers his first wicket, that of David Warner, very well.

“When I came to bowl, Steve Smith hit a boundary off a googly in my second over and I realised the difference between international and state level cricket.

Following lunch, I just tried to be relaxed and give my best. I started strategizing my game and bowled a few slower ones to David Warner and then mixed it up with a flipper, feeling it might clean him up or trap him LBW.

He played the cut straight to the slip. That was my first wicket. It was one of the most happiest moments of my life and I got really emotional (sic).”