IND vs SA 2022: "Had the length been a bit shorter, that would have been a big chance" - Kuldeep Yadav on narrowly missing out on a hattrick in the third ODI
Team India spinner Kuldeep Yadav opened up about narrowly missing out on a record hat-trick during the third ODI against South Africa on Tuesday, October 11 in Delhi. The left-arm wrist spinner was adjudged player of the match for his stunning figures of 4-18 as India registered a 2-1 series win over the Proteas.
Kuldeep Yadav was introduced into the attack during the 20th over of the innings, by which time the visitors were reduced to 67-5. He made an instant impact by claiming Andile Phehlukwayo's wicket. The spinner struck twice off successive deliveries in the 26th over and was on the verge of a hat-trick.
From getting close to picking up another hat-trick to winning Player of the Series award!
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However, Lungi Ngidi fended off the crucial delivery, leaving Kuldeep Yadav with a wry smile.
Claiming that he pitched the ball too full, resulting in Ngidi being able to defend it, the left-arm spinner said in an interaction with Mohammed Siraj after the series decider:
"The plan was very simple for the hattrick ball. I was bowling the wrong'un from around the wicket before that so I thought the batter would be expecting the same. So, I had planned the normal delivery which comes into the right-hander, but I pitched it a little up, so it hit his bat-pad. Had the length been a bit shorter, that would have been a big chance."
The Uttar Pradesh-born spinner already has two ODI hattricks to his name. He would have been the second bowler after Lasith Malinga to have three ODI hat-tricks had he dismissed Lungi Ngidi. Currently, four more bowlers, along with Kuldeep Yadav, have claimed two hat-tricks in the 50-over format.
"They were five down when I came on to bowl, so I was looking for wickets straightaway" - Kuldeep Yadav
Coming after an injury layoff, Kuldeep Yadav had a solid series against South Africa. Playing across all three matches, the spinner claimed six wickets in the series at an economy of 5.01.
A special week with the boys as we overcame the challenges and delivered our best cricket under pressure.
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Claiming that he was looking to bowl aggressively on a surface that offered a lot of assistance for spinners, he said:
"First of all, it was a good performance. The bowling was good throughout the series, and the ball was gripping well today. So, I was just trying to bowl on a good length. They were five down when I came on to bowl, so I was looking for wickets straightaway. I was varying my pace, so I am happy with my performance."
Will the spinner feature in ODI cricket more often following a promising set of performances? Let us know what you think.