After MS Dhoni retired, my performance with the ball wasn't great: Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav used to get tips from wicket-keeper MS Dhoni very often.

Ace India wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has admitted that he had to begin to learn and trust his instincts as his performance suffered after legendary keeper MS Dhoni called time on his international career in 2020.

Even though the 29-year-old made his debut with Virat Kohli, having Dhoni in the dugout during his first two years was crucial. In ODIs, Kuldeep’s best run with the ball came in 2017 and 2018, when he took 22 and 45 wickets, respectively.

In an interview with Indian Express, Kuldeep expressed wanting Dhoni to play longer before becoming self-reliant.

“I wanted him to play more because it was very easy for us when we (himself and Chahal) were bowling. After Dhoni retired, my performance with the ball wasn’t great. It happens when a person guides you and that person’s influence is not there anymore, then suddenly everything is on your shoulders. It takes time for you to react to the situation.. that probably happened to me. Then slowly you understand and become self-reliant,” said Kuldeep.

Following Dhoni’s retirement, Kuldeep had a terrible period in 2020 and 2021, taking just eight wickets at a miserable average in the 70s and an economy of more than 6.50 in nine ODI matches. But in ODIs last year, he finally found his best form again, taking 49 wickets at an average of less than 21 in 30 matches.

“I didn’t have to think too much when I was bowling” – Kuldeep Yadav on playing under MS Dhoni’s guidance

Kuldeep Yadav talked about how he just needed to concentrate on his bowling since he knew that MS Dhoni would handle the pitch setup and offer variations depending on the state of play. With Dhoni behind the stumps, the left-arm spinner had claimed more than half (114) of his 227 limited-over wickets.

“Chahal and I really enjoyed when Mahi bhai was keeping wickets, he used to give a lot of ideas. I didn’t have to think too much when I was bowling. I just had to bowl and he would even adjust the fields. No doubt the time I had with Mahi Bhai on the field and even off the field was great,” said Kuldeep.

Kuldeep and Yuzvendra Chahal formed a deadly spin duo in the 2017-2019 period, helping India win the ODI series in South Africa in 2018 and the side reach the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup.

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