SportsPosted at: Sep 27 2026 11:27PM


Kuldeep rediscovers rhythm, confidence with match-winning spell

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 27 (UNI) Kuldeep Yadav believes rediscovering his bowling rhythm has helped him regain the confidence that had taken a hit during his periods in and out of the Indian side, with the left-arm wrist-spinner saying his four-wicket haul against West Indies was exactly the kind of performance he needed.
Kuldeep returned figures of 4-40 as India beat West Indies by eight wickets in the opening ODI here on Sunday, earning the Player of the Match award after helping restrict the visitors to 295.
"It always feels nice when you enjoy your bowling and that's where you achieve your best. When you are enjoying your bowling, when you are a bit relaxed as well, then your performance comes at peak," Kuldeep said after the match.
The 31-year-old admitted that such spells can be crucial in rebuilding a bowler's belief.
"Sometimes it feels to get that confidence back, you have to have a bowling spell like this, definitely, you grow your confidence," he said.
For Kuldeep, however, the numbers were less important than the manner in which he bowled. He felt particularly pleased with his rhythm, describing himself as calm and comfortable while varying his pace and reading the batsmen's intentions.
"I personally liked my rhythm, to be very honest. I was very calm in my rhythm and just trying to bowl whatever I felt like bowling," he said.
"Just varying the pace, variations were superb, just reading the batters, where they're going to hit me, and yeah, I found it very good in rhythm."
Kuldeep, who has experienced periods of being in and out of India's playing XI, insisted the performance does not mean he has reached the finished product.
"I still believe there's a lot to improve as a spinner," he said, adding that maintaining his rhythm and bowling flow would remain his priority.
"I personally feel there's still a chance to improve, and I'm going to stick with the same rhythm, that's the most important thing. Any format, it's just you feel comfortable in your rhythm and in your flow."
Kuldeep also played down the personal recognition, saying he was more impressed by the batting exploits of India's captain Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli.
"I actually loved the batting from Shubman and Virat bhai, it was a special inning from them," he said.
"It feels awkward to receive the Man of the Match award, seeing the way Virat bhai batted. It was an outstanding inning."
Kohli smashed an unbeaten 139 off 88 balls, while Gill made 110 before India chased down West Indies' 295 with 50 balls to spare.
The spinner then switched from cricket to his other sporting passion, revealing his delight at watching FC Barcelona, who he said are currently top of the league.
Kuldeep said he has followed football from an early age and continues to enjoy watching live matches, adding that Barcelona's style of play was also living up to expectations.
"The most important thing is to enjoy the football," he said.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Kuldeep rediscovers rhythm# confidence with match-winning spell
More News

Gill identifies eighth batting option as key to India's ODI plans

27 Sep 2026 | 11:17 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 27 (UNI) India captain Shubman Gill on Sunday underlined the importance of finding an eighth batting option as the team looks to build the right combination ahead of the next 12 months, even as he praised Kuldeep Yadav's game-changing spell and Virat Kohli's attacking batting in the opening ODI against the West Indies.

see more..

Kohli looks beyond milestones, targets a 'new version' of himself

27 Sep 2026 | 11:10 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 27 (UNI) Virat Kohli has spent much of his extraordinary ODI career chasing records, but on Sunday, even as he became the fastest batsman to reach 15,000 runs in the format, he revealed that his next target is not another number but a "new version" of himself.

see more..

Uganda parts ways with women's national football team coach Botes

27 Sep 2026 | 11:01 PM

Kampala, Sep 27 (UNI) The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has parted ways with national women's team head coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes after deciding not to renew her contract.

see more..

David Miller, Temba Bavuma tons set up strong South Africa win in Pink ODI

27 Sep 2026 | 10:58 PM

Johannesburg, Sep 27 (UNI) South Africa sealed the series against Australia with an all-round performance in the second ODI, securing a 32-run victory here on Sunday.

see more..

South Korea beat host Japan for fifth straight Asian Games baseball gold

27 Sep 2026 | 10:50 PM

Nagoya (Japan), Sep 27 (UNI) South Korea beat the host Japan 3-1 in the men's baseball final at the 2026 Asian Games on Sunday, extending its dominance of the event with a fifth consecutive title.

see more..