India’s star spinner Kuldeep Yadav has revealed how former England captain Kevin Pietersen helped him get ready for the ongoing five-match Test series against England. However, Kuldeep Yadav didn’t get the chance in the first Test at Headingley, where India suffered a five-wicket loss to England.

While playing for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, Kuldeep kept the England tour in mind and made the most of a special opportunity, working closely with Kevin Pietersen, who was the team’s mentor.

Kuldeep Yadav reveals how Kevin Pietersen helped him prepare for the England tour

Pietersen has a strong record against spin and deep knowledge of English batting and conditions, so Kuldeep turned to the Delhi Capitals mentor for guidance.

The Englishman happily agreed, as he and Kuldeep would sit down regularly and go through the entire England batting line-up, discussing each player one by one. The Chinaman bowler revealed that Pietersen shared insights into each batter’s strengths and weaknesses during the IPL 2025.

Kuldeep Yadav was quoted as saying by The Indian Express, “Kevin Petersen was part of our team at DC. He gave me a lot of input for the England tour. He told me about fielding positions, pitches, and the batsmen. We ran through their batting lineup. He told me about the mindset needed in England.”

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Kuldeep Yadav reveals Kevin Pietersen’s key advice to succeed in England

Kuldeep further revealed how Pietersen gave him a valuable piece of advice about bowling in England. He said that Pietersen told him that many spinners go into a defensive mode when playing in English conditions, but he encouraged him to stay aggressive and always look for wickets.

He suggested Kuldeep to back his natural attacking style and focus on how he could keep creating chances and getting breakthroughs, even in conditions that don’t offer much help to spinners.

The wrist-spinner added, “Pietersen said that generally spinners come to England with a defensive mindset. They think that in England, fast bowlers will get wickets, and they will be in a supporting role. He told me to take the field with an attacking mindset. If I get a game and bowl 15 to 20 overs, I always have to think about how to get the batsmen out.”

Apan ko kuch aata nahi hai bowling ke aalava: Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep knows his job very well and admitted that if he doesn’t deliver with the ball, he doesn’t deserve a place in the Indian cricket team, especially in tough conditions like England.

The spinner also revealed that he focuses on putting enough revolutions on the ball and getting drift, as it helps him to get the wickets. However, it remains to be seen whether he gets a chance in the second Test.

The spinner signed off by saying, “Apan ko kuch aata nahi hai bowling ke aalava (I don’t know anything other than bowling). If you don’t take wickets, you can’t justify yourself for playing in England. If you don’t take wickets, I don’t think you deserve to play. But I know one thing: wherever one is playing, at home or in England. I have to get the revs on the ball and the drift, and that will get me wickets.”

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