While Jasprit Bumrah stole the headlines with a five-wicket haul, Kuldeep\u2019s disciplined spell (2 for 36) and clever planning played an equally important role in India\u2019s decisive grip on the contest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking on JioStar\u2019s post-match show Cricket Live, Kuldeep described the step-up in intensity when playing Test cricket and how his India A outing against South Africa earlier this month gave him useful insight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"When you play a Test match, your intensity always goes up, and obviously, you need a lot of energy. When we played as India A, it was a good practice match against South Africa, and I bowled to Temba Bavuma there. I knew what sort of shots he plays, so I was prepared to bowl accordingly.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kuldeep said the sluggish pitch made his job as a wrist-spinner more demanding, as he had to generate his own pace to trouble the batters. \"Today, the wicket was very slow. As a wrist-spinner, it\u2019s tough to bowl on this type of wicket because there is hardly any pace. You have to generate that pace yourself.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the conditions, he stuck to his approach of attacking the stumps \u2014 a method he believes translates across formats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"My bowling type is all about hitting the stumps; that\u2019s the most important thing in any format: ODI, T20, or Test. Cricket has changed a lot; players try reverse sweeps and sweep shots, so you don\u2019t want to miss those leg-before chances. That was my plan.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
That plan paid off as Kuldeep played a key role in breaking South Africa\u2019s early resistance, providing control in the middle overs and striking at crucial moments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"My bowling type is all about hitting the stumps; that\u2019s the most important thing in any format: ODI, T20, or Test. Cricket has changed a lot; players try reverse sweeps and sweep shots, so you don\u2019t want to miss those leg-before chances. That was my plan.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Mohammed Siraj (2 for 47) and Axar Patel (1 for 21) also contributing, India\u2019s well-rounded bowling effort ensured South Africa squandered the advantage of winning the toss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n