"I Have 35 Balls": Kuldeep Yadav Reveals How R Ashwin Settled 1st Innings Dilemma

A regular place in the playing eleven during the ongoing series has done wonders to Kuldeep Yadav's confidence and the left-arm wrist spinner believes that he has got more sharper with better game awareness due to consistent opportunities. Having made his debut at this very venue in 2017, Kuldeep in past seven years have only made 12 Test appearances, with four of them on trot in the current series against England. On the opening day of the fifth Test against England, Kuldeep set the ball rolling with five top-order wickets. "If you play regularly, you get more confident about your bowling. Game awareness also comes with it. It is very important to keep playing regularly as it makes your bowling sharp," said the 29-year-old, who now has 17 wickets in the series with hopefully one more innings to increase his tally.

Chances In Tests were sporadic in past few years, then there was dip in form and also a knee surgery for the talented spinner, who made technical adjustments to get his mojo back. "In the beginning, it was very challenging. I had changed my action, it took six to eight months to find that rhythm. Now, things are all set and I am enjoying it. In Ranchi, I tried something with my run-up (faster approach to the crease as it was a slow surface), and I practise that regularly." Kuldeep bowled a highly productive 15-over spell on either side of the lunch break on day one, something he says he has been able to do of late purely because of his improved fitness.

Following a knee surgery in September 2021, Kuldeep changed his fitness routine, increased his pace and straightened his run-up.

After a five-wicket haul that helped India bowl out England for 218 on a flat track, Kuldeep said it is only because his targeted