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Kuldeep Yadav has taken Rohit Sharma’s seat on the team bus but not to replace him. He reveals the wholesome reason behind it.
Kuldeep Yadav has always shared a loving bond with Rohit Sharma. (AFP Photo)
Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has taken over Rohit Sharma’s seat in the team bus since the latter’s Test retirement, but not to usurp his ‘place’ but only to spend more time with his ‘Jaddu bhai’, Ravindra Jadeja.
The left-arm wrist spinner revealed the story while speaking in a press conference on Sunday (June 15), five days before India’s first Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy Test against England in Headingley. Although Kuldeep made his debut much before Rohit’s appointment as captain, he has often spoken about being quite close and how the former opener backed him during his difficult phases.
Kuldeep said it was ‘important’ for him to be in touch with his ‘spin partner’ Jadeja because Ravichandran Ashwin has also taken retirement.
“Uspe main baithta hu (I sit there),” Kuldeep said during the press conference, speaking about Rohit’s seat. “I can never take Rohit bhai’s place. It’s just that I am spending more time with Jaddu bhai. It’s important as a spinner for me because Ash bhai is not there. I have learnt a lot from him. When I started my cricket, I have played with both of them. Very lucky to have Jadeja as my spin partner. I am enjoying it,” Kuldeep explained.
Ashwin was the first to take retirement (across formats) last December. Rohit hung his Test boots in early May and then Virat Kohli followed within a week. India have appointed Shubman Gill as the new captain, who’ll lead a quite young team to England, where the visitors haven’t won a Test series since 2007.
Kuldeep said the team will miss seniors but said it was an opportunity for the new generation to step up.
“When the seniors go away, their absence is always felt. Virat bhai and Rohit bhai have done so much for the team. They will be missed, but it’s also an opportunity for youngsters to perform well. But yes, I am sure everybody would be missing the seniors. But the youngsters are excited for the challenge. Batsmen are working very hard in the nets and preparing really well,” Kuldeep stated.
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