“He always wants me to do well” – Kuldeep Yadav on Yuzvendra Chahal for playing spot in the team.

In the recent 1st ODI against West Indies in Barbados, Kuldeep Yadav got the nod over Chahal and showcased his prowess by delivering outstanding figures of 4/6, ably supported by Jadeja’s 3/37. This exceptional performance has undoubtedly intensified the competition for the spinners, Kuldeep’s impressive performance earned him the well-deserved “Player of the Match” award, but he was quick to credit the team’s collective effort for the victory.

In post match interview, Kuldeep , opened up about his friendship with fellow leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and stated that their bond remains strong despite being competitors for a spot in the ODI XI. Over the past few years, both Kuldeep and Chahal have been integral parts of the Indian one-day squad, earning the affectionate moniker ‘KulCha’. However, their fortunes took a turn after the 2019 World Cup, with Ravindra Jadeja’s resurgence adding complexity to the selection process.

Despite the challenges, Kuldeep and Chahal have successfully made their way back into the national side, but currently, only one of them secures a place in the playing XI. However, Kuldeep humbly downplayed the rivalry between him and Chahal, asserting that their friendship and camaraderie remain unaffected by the on-field competition. He emphasized that healthy competition is an inherent aspect of professional sports and that both players are committed to giving their best for the team’s success.

Kuldeep said “We’re very relaxed. We know the combination matters a lot. Sometimes he plays, sometimes I play, and our understanding is very good. We’re very normal.” 

He added “He helps me a lot when I play; he tells me what I can do, what I can change. He always wants me to do well. When he plays I do the same thing, so that when he plays he performs well for the team. Maybe this is why the Kul-Cha partnership has worked so well over the years. We support and back each other,”