India spinner Kuldeep Yadav says he is entering a crucial phase of his red-ball career, stressing that the next few years will define his place in Test cricket. As India prepare for the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, Kuldeep said his focus remains on fitness, clarity of role and sustaining the form that has brought him back into the national setup across formats.
Speaking on JioStar’s “Follow The Blues”, Kuldeep said his approach with the ball has not changed. “I am very clear as an attacking bowler, I know my role over the years. The coach and the captain have given me a lot of clarity and support. I always keep an attacking mindset and bowl accordingly. That’s my job: taking wickets. That’s how they look at me,” he said. He added that Test cricket remains a priority at this stage of his career. “Everyone loves Test cricket. It’s a format that everyone enjoys, but it’s also very challenging. Obviously, you want to play in all formats, but if you get a chance to play Test cricket, you enjoy it,” he said. Kuldeep admitted the coming years will carry extra weight. “Playing in all formats for India is a luxury. The next 4–5 years are very important for me in Test cricket, so I will focus on maintaining my fitness and keep performing like this.” With India trailing 0-1 after a 30-run defeat at Eden Gardens, the pressure shifts to Guwahati, which is hosting a Test for the first time. Conditions remain an unknown, and India’s attack will again be tested against a South African side that defended 123 in Kolkata. Pacer Mohammed Siraj said the challenge of facing strong opposition helps sharpen his game. “When you’re playing against a good team, and you’re bowling against good batsmen and taking their wickets, you get a lot of confidence,” Siraj said.
Poll
Which format of cricket do you think Kuldeep Yadav should prioritize at this stage of his career?
He added that such contests offer quick lessons. “Because when you play against a strong team, you quickly realise where you’re making a mistake. So, it’s good that I’m playing against a team like South Africa. It’s a lot of fun.” India will look to square the series when the second and final Test begins on November 22.
