Not Being A Regular In Playing XI Doesn't Bother Me Says Kuldeep Yadav

Ace Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav was part of India's recent series victories over Australia and England, traveling with the team in the bio-bubble. The one-time trump card of skipper Virat Kohli

Q: Is being a Chinaman a sort of a drawback because unless you are a surprise element, you are always picked only behind an orthodox one?

A: I have never thought about it and I don't think about it. If you are bowling well and your performance is good, I don't think it [being a Chinaman] acts as a drawback. There are times when you work hard but you don't get to perform. But you keep working hard. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't.

But yes, when I started my career, there weren't many Chinaman bowlers around. So I used to have doubts and would often wonder if there is any scope for it. But now a lot of people are bowling Chinaman. A lot of state teams also have Chinaman bowlers. Slowly it is turning into normal spin bowling. I don't think it will be a drawback.

Q: You played very few games for KKR in the last IPL as they have plenty of spinners. This time KKR has also added Harbhajan Singh into the squad...

A: KKR's spin department must be the best in the IPL, and the good thing for the team is that there are a lot of options to pick from. KKR has variety and they can pick bowlers according to the situation, pitch, etc. I have never been worried about getting into the playing XI. If the team management thinks Kuldeep is needed, I will play. But yes, I want to play.

Q: How do you look at the competition? Does it reduce your chances of playing?

A: Getting into the playing XI is the management's decision. As a player and an individual, you have to think about giving your 100 percent in the field. I will also get to learn and gain experience. I have spoken to Bhajju pa (Harbhajan Singh). I am very excited to meet him and learn from him. I will spend two months with him. He has been a big player and has played so much international cricket. The experience he carries will definitely be very useful. I will keep talking to him and look to gain whatever experience I can by staying close to him.

Q: Have you thought of improving the other facets as a cricketer like batting?

A: I have worked a lot on my batting recently. I didn't get many opportunities to bat in matches. But I worked with [batting coach] Vikram [Rathour] paaji a lot. I think I will score runs in times to come. Whatever skills I have with the bat, I will use them.

Q: What is it that you worked on in batting?

A: My defense is very good. I was working a lot in Australia on playing shots -- the areas where you can score off fast bowlers, looking at scoring opportunities against them.