Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, on Thursday, lauded former head coach Anil Kumble for integrating wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav into the side. The Kanpur-based spinner has had a brilliant start to his career, and along with Yuzvendra Chahal, has spun a web around the visiting Australians in the ongoing limited-overs series.

“Kuldeep [Yadav] is doing very well and the credit goes to Anil Bhai [Anil Kumble]. He worked really hard on him,” Raina was quoted as saying by PTI. “I was talking to him [Kuldeep] in the IPL and he always use to message Anil Bhai [for advice] – he is a product of Anil Kumble. He [Kuldeep] has done well with [fellow left-arm wrist-spinner] Brad Hogg,” he said.

Advertisement

The 22-year-old was impressive in his debut Test against Australia at Dharamsala, at a time when Kumble was the coach. The Kanpur lad recently became the third Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in One-day Internationals, achieving the feat against the Australians in Kolkata.

The hard-hitting southpaw last played an ODI in October 2015. This year started well for Raina, when he was picked for the Twenty20 Internationals against England but has not been picked since. “I am working hard and there is nothing that is impossible life if you enjoy the process and enjoy your cricket, and I have always done that,” he said. “It was a difficult time in my life when I got injured. I am enjoying it and my time will come,” Raina said.

There were reports that Raina failed the Yo-Yo test, considered a benchmark by the Indian camp to test fitness and endurance levels. “You [the reporters] speak to BCCI,” Raina replied.

Raina-led Uttar Pradesh lost to Railways in their Ranji Trophy opener after they were bundled out for 72 in the fourth innings chasing a paltry 94. Reflecting on the loss, Raina said, “The boys are still learning. The wicket was a little different. We have still five more games to go, and after that match, we had a chat. In the Duleep trophy you have seen these wickets and its not in my hand to win the toss. We had to bat on the fourth day and it wasn’t easy,” the 30-year-old said.