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    Wasim Akram Lauds ‘Hungry’ Kuldeep Yadav; Recalls Coaching Him During KKR Days

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    By News18,Siddarth Sriram

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    Wasim Akram Lauds 'Hungry' Kuldeep Yadav; Recalls Coaching Him During KKR Days

    India brushed aside hosts UAE in their Asia Cup 2025 opener on Wednesday, setting up a mouth-watering clash with arch-rivals Pakistan this weekend.
    The star of the night was none other than Kuldeep Yadav, whose magical spell reaffirmed his status as India’s premier spinner in the shortest format.
    Among those watching from the sidelines was Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistan fast bowler, who could not hide his admiration for Kuldeep’s artistry.
    Speaking on Sony Sports, Akram revealed how difficult it is even for experts to pick Kuldeep’s variations.
    “Leg-spinner, googly, flipper— even I can’t read him sitting here. Even with a replay, it’s impossible,” Akram admitted.
    Akram recalled his early memories of coaching Kuldeep during his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
    “I remember meeting Kuldeep when he was very young, when he joined Knight Riders. He and Mohammed Shami were with me all the time—breakfast, lunch, dinner, during the game. If they weren’t playing, they were sitting with me. They were hungry. Kuldeep was hungry.”
    The Pakistan legend also shared a heartwarming anecdote about Shami’s eagerness to learn.
    “I remember Shami once came to drop me at the airport in a car. I asked him, ‘Why are you coming with me?’ He said, ‘Wasim bhai, I want to listen to you and hear what you have to say in general.’ Credit to them. I’m really proud of these boys, and they’ve done incredibly well for their country.”
    Kuldeep’s Match-Winning Spell
    Playing his first T20I since the 2024 World Cup final, Kuldeep announced his return in emphatic fashion. The left-arm wrist-spinner returned jaw-dropping figures of 4 for 7, the second-best bowling performance in Asia Cup Men’s T20I history.
    For his efforts, Kuldeep was rightfully named Player of the Match, a fitting recognition on his comeback.
    Looking Ahead: India vs Pakistan
    India’s emphatic victory was never in doubt against UAE, but Kuldeep’s performance gave the team more than just two points—it was a statement ahead of the blockbuster showdown against Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai.

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