India are in the driver’s seat in the fourth and final Test against Australia in Sydney, having reduced the hosts to 236/6 on Saturday.
India posted 622-7 and saw their bowlers turn up the heat on Australia’s batsmen who were staring down the barrel before rain brought an early close to play on Day Three.
Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the most successful Indian bowler, picking up three wickets while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami also chipped in.
India’s discipline in the bowling department was exemplary while captain Virat Kohli kept the pressure up with innovative field placings. However, it was India’s fielding that stood out with Ajinkya Rahane pulling off two sensational catches – at short mid wicket off Marnus Labuschagne and at first slip off Shaun Marsh – while Kuldeep himself took a fine return catch off Travis Head.
The No1 Test team’s ground fielding was impressive as well and Kuldeep believes India are the best fielding side in the world.
“We have got best fielding coach in Sridhar sir and we are really working on catching in slips, silly point and outfield as well,” Kuldeep said. “I feel we are the best team in the world when it comes to fielding. It’s really important for every player to give 15-20 minutes in fielding and hopefully we will improve day by day.”
On the bowling front, Kuldeep has had to wait for his opportunities behind leading slow bowlers Ravi Ashwin and Jadeja. However, the wrist spinner says waiting in the wings and bowling alongside the best spinners in the world is part of a good learning curve.
Kuldeep said: “When you know you have Ashwin and Jadeja in the squad and you are the third [spinner], there is a lot to get motivated. They are the ones who keep pushing me in the nets — ‘you have to bowl this way and in certain areas’. It is important to learn from them. They have played enough cricket and I am still learning.”
