'It was tough for me: Kuldeep reflects on time away from Indian team after starring in clinical win against UAE

Kuldeep Yadav credited strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux for helping him maintain his fitness as well as bowling form as the left-arm spinner made a triumphant return into the Indian team during their Asia Cup opener against UAE in Dubai on Wednesday. Kuldeep, who had been ignored for the entirety of the five-match Test series in England, led the way with a haul of 4/7 in 2.1 overs as the Men in Blue bundled UAE out for just 57 after opting to field at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“It was tough for me,” Kuldeep, who had last represented India in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand at the same venue, said after receiving the Player of the Match award.

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“Thanks to Adrian the trainer. Was working on my bowling and my fitness as well, everything is going perfectly. Tried to hit the right length and it matters a lot, reading the batters on what they are trying to do. Even today as well, reacting to what the batters would do on the next ball,” the 30-year-old added.

Surya hails India’s ’energy and attitude’

India later cruised to a nine-wicket victory with 93 balls to spare, thanks mainly to the explosive 48-run stand between Abhishek Sharma (30 off 16) and vice-captain Shubman Gill (20 not out off 9) – whose inclusion at the top of the batting order forced wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to move to the middle order.

And speaking during the post-match presentation, Suryakumar Yadav hailed his team’s energy and attitude on the field that translated into a dominant performance.

“Clinical performance from the boys. We wanted good attitude and energy on the field and that’s what we got,” Surya, who is leading India in a multi-nation event for the first time, said after the victory.

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“Here it is very hot right now and Kuldeep did well, got good support from Hardik, Dube and Bumrah. (On Abhishek) He is currently the World number one batter for a reason, he sets the tone, irrespective of if we chase 200 or 50, unbelievable from him,” he added, reflecting on Abhishek’s explosive start as well as the clinical bowling display.

UAE captain Waseem, meanwhile, lamented the loss of wickets in a cluster after his team was completely blown away by the current T20 world champions.

“We started well as a batting team, we lose wickets in a cluster which cost us the game. They are a brilliant team and they are bowling very well. They are executing their plans for every batter, that’s why they are the No.1 team. As a team we will try to come back stronger and learn from our mistakes,” Waseem said during the post-match interview.

India face arch-rivals Pakistan in their next Group A outing at the same venue on Sunday. UAE, the team that had put up a good fight in the recent T20I triangular series against Pakistan and Afghanistan, will be in action on the following day as they face neighbours Oman.