Bengaluru: Indian spinnerKuldeepYadavexpectsthebowlersto have atoughtime atMumbai’s batsman-friendly Wankhede Stadium when the hosts take on New Zealandintheir World Cupsemi-finalon Wednesday.
South Africa posted 399-7 against England and 382-5 against Bangladesh while India made 357-8 against Sri Lanka at the venue before Glenn Maxwell smashed an extraordinary double century as Australia chased down 291 against Afghanistan last week.
“It’s a difficult venue to bowlin. The bounce is true and batsmen often dominate there. UnlikeinTwenty20, thebowlershave plenty of time to come back into the game,”Kuldeeptold reporters on Sunday after India beat the Netherlands.
“But yes, you need a couple of early wickets to get on top of the game and the opponents.”
New Zealand will be looking to repeat their 2019 feat of knocking India outinthesemi-finals.
“We’ve played a lot of bilateral series after that,”Kuldeepsaid. “Our preparation has been good and we’ve been able to play good cricket throughout the tournament.
“Weexpectto continueinthe same veininthe next match.”
Kuldeephas claimed 14 wickets during India’s run of nine straight victories at the tournament.
“I just work on my rhythm and strengths and focus on how the batsmen are trying to play me. My aim is to land the ball on the good length area as much as possible,” he said.
(Published 13 November 2023, 10:43 IST)