Kuldeep Yadav has often been compared to Shane Warne in what has been a really short international career but the left-arm spinner feels his life would be successful if he bowls and achieves what the Australian legend achieved in his glorious career.
After making a remarkable debut in the Dharamsala Test against Australia earlier this year, Kuldeep has been going from strength to strength and has almost cemented his place in the Indian squads, whether it is T20Is, ODIs or Tests.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the second T20 against Australia, Kuldeep lavished praise on Warne and said that he looked up to the Australian legend since his childhood.
"I've followed Shane Warne since childhood. He's my idol. My life will be a success if I could achieve 50 per cent of what he has achieved. I stay in touch with him," said the left-arm spinner.
"His wrist work, flight and drift, and the way he deceives any batsman. I will be successful if I get to learn something from him," he added.
The Indian spin sensation had already received praise from his idol. In a Twitter post, Warne had said, "If young Kuldeep remains patient when he's bowling in all forms then he could challenge Yasir as the best leg spinner in the world & quickly."
The 22-year-old further said that he is not thinking about being seen as Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja's replacement in the side.
"I don't think of that far. Both Ash and Jaddu bhai have been consistent performers for India in all the three formats. There's no question of thinking about replacing them," he insisted.
Talking about his bowling partnership with Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep said, "I have a very good partnership going on with Chahal. We know each other for five years. It's easy to understand each other's plans. It helps on the ground if we keep talking to each others. There's a good understanding going on between us. We bowl in partnerships in a match as well, the difference is evident."
"We talk about the wicket, whether it's fast or skids. I ask him how the ball is responding on a particular wicket, and things like that. It's very useful for me and the team," he added.
Both the spinners were instrumental in India's nine-wicket win over Australia in the first T20I in Ranchi. Together, they have shared 16 wickets in four ODIs and one T20I in the ongoing limited-over series against Australia.
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