India cricket team's newest hat-trick club member Kuldeep Yadav feels that had he bowled the traditional left-arm wrist-spinner's delivery, which comes into a right-hander, he possibly wouldn't have completed the coveted milestone. Kuldeep dismissed Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar and Pat Cummins off successive deliveries in Kolkata ODI to become third Indian bowler after Chetan Sharma and Kapil Dev to complete a hat-trick in the 50-over format.
Kuldeep's hat-trick victim was Cummins, who edged a wrong 'un with Mahendra Singh Dhoni snapped up in a flash.
"For the hat-trick ball, I didn't think I would get a wicket if the ball spun in. The only way in that scenario would have been a bat-pad opportunity. There was a slip in place so I chose the wrong 'un," Kuldeep told senior teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar during a customary post-match interview conducted by the bcci.tv.
Kuldeep said that it was difficult to grip the ball initially which is the reason he went for a few runs in his first spell but things changed when the end was changed.
"It feels really special now, as that start was not good. With the kind of start I had, I never thought I would end up taking a hat-trick. I did not bowl well from one end and it was getting difficult to grip the ball as it was getting wet.
"When my end was changed, I wanted to pick one wicket to put the pressure back on Australia. A partnership was built and it was crucial for us to get a breakthrough at that moment. I wanted to try out my variations, but was looking to land the ball in the right areas," the 22-year-old from UP said.
The familiarity with Eden Gardens surface having played last three seasons for Kolkata Knight Riders has given him a fair idea.
"Yes, I have been playing at the Eden Gardens for a few years now as it is KKR's home ground. The pitch is familiar. It felt like the home ground to me today as well when I stepped out and that is why I wanted to leave a big imprint," Kuldeep said.
(With PTI Inputs)
