Kuldeep Yadav in action during the 1st T20I in Ireland
Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed four wickets in India's emphatic 76-run win over Ireland in the first T20 International in Dublin, expressed satisfaction after starting the UK tour on a high. "This is my first trip to the UK and it has started well," Kuldeep said in the post-match presentation, where he was bestowed with the man-of-the-match award.
Following the two-match T20I series in Ireland, India will tour England for a lengthy series comprising three ODIs, five Tests and three T20Is, starting July 3.
Kuldeep said the wicket was batsman-friendly and turning a little, however, that little was enough for wrist-spinners like him. "I think the wicket was good to bat on and it was turning a little bit but wrist-spinners exploit even that little bit of turn in the wicket.
Besides Kuldeep, Chahal also struck thrice to help India take early control in Dublin. Kuldeep credited Chahal for his success in the match, claiming that the communication between the two spinners helps them a lot.
"We bowled variations and tried to bowl in the right areas. We talk a lot during the games when we bowl. First Chahal bowled and he told me that pitch is little slow," he said.
Dubbed as a dress rehearsal for the marquee England series, the formidable Indian team outbatted the opposition scoring an imposing 208 for five, courtesy openers Rohit Sharma (97 off 61 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (74 off 45 balls).
In reply, Ireland could only manage 132/9 in 20 overs despite a breezy innings of 60 off 35 balls by opener James Shannon.
The 23-year-old spinner from Kanpur said that he will use "variations" in England the same way he did in Ireland and will look to "exploit" the conditions further.
"England are playing good cricket but if we use variations nicely it will be difficult for them as well," Kuldeep concluded.
