‘For a week, I kept thinking about what I could have done different’: Kuldeep Yadav on World Cup final loss | Cricket News

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav said it took him ten days to get over the ODI World Cup loss against Australia as he kept thinking about what he could have done differently on that night.
“First week or ten days after the final was the most difficult. It was not easy to get that thought away from my mind. I keep thinking about what I could have done different,” he told reporters.
“Cricket is very unpredictable, most of the time you don’t get the desired result. You learn and move forward.”
Kuldeep Yadav made it a memorable birthday with figures of 5/17 in 2.5 overs.
“It was special. Never thought that I will pick five wickets. I just wanted the team to win the match and I am happy to contribute. I was a bit concerned about my rhythm as I was bowling after a while. It was a perfect day, ball was leaving the hand nicely, the condition was also suited for the spinners,” he said.
South Africa has been a good hunting ground for Kuldeep, as the wr-spinner has bagged 17 wickets in the ODI series back in 2018.

“In South Africa, wickets are very good for the spinners, if you try to spin the ball. The good thing about the wickets here us that it comes out quickly to the batters after pitching. Yes, you need to use your variations but it is difficult to pick. I am just focusing on the length and my tricks,” he said.
“I knew, If I will bowl quicker through the air they won’t have the chance to pull me over mid-wicket. In Durban and Port Elizabath, you try to spin the bowl more. I was surprised to see the wicket when Keshav was bowling in the first innings, few balls were turning,” he added
On his comeback trail, the 29-year-old said: ” I struggled for a couple of years. After the surgery, I have made a few changes in my bowling, especially my run up. It is bit more agressive now. Earlier, I was thinking too much about the shots batters are going to play but now I am focusing on my length.”
Kuldeep also lauded stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s knock and said it was not an easy track to bat on.
WC disappointment – First week after the final was the most difficult. It was not easy to get out from that thought.
“Surya bhai’s batting was excellent. It was not an easy track to bat. The kind of shots he played towards the end were sublime,” said Kuldeep.
Suryakumar Yadav powered India to 201/7 with a 56-ball 100 – his fourth in the format.
The T20 series in South Africa was the last one for India overseas before the World Cup about six months down the line in the Caribbean and the United States. Many senior players were not in the mix and it’s up to the team management and selectors to decide whether they will be part of the plan for the big event.