Akram hails Kuldeep’s ‘hunger’ after stunning 4-7 spell

Kuldeep Yadav produced a sensational spell of 4-7 to fire defending champions India to a nine-wicket victory over hosts United Arab Emirates in their Asia Cup opener in Dubai on Wednesday.

The left-arm wrist spinner struck three times in one over as the hosts crumbled for just 57 in 13.1 overs. India needed only 4.3 overs to seal the chase, with Abhishek Sharma smashing 30 off 16 balls and vice-captain Shubman Gill unbeaten on 20.

The performance underlined Kuldeep's resurgence. Once hailed as a prodigy for his rare left-arm wrist spin, he had lost his edge midway through his career and even struggled to make IPL starting XIs.

Determined to bounce back, he worked on his craft and has re-established himself as a key member of India's white-ball attack.

Wasim Akram, who coached Kuldeep during his early days with Kolkata Knight Riders, said his hunger set him apart.

"Leg-spinner, googly, flipper. Even I can't read him, sitting here. Even with a replay, it's impossible. I remember meeting Kuldeep when he was very young, when he joined the Knight Riders. He and Mohammed Shami were with me all the time — at breakfast, lunch, dinner, even during the game. If they weren't playing, they were sitting with me. They were hungry. Kuldeep was hungry," Wasim Akram said on Sony Sports.

Akram added that Shami's desire to learn was equally striking. "I remember Shami once came to drop me at the airport and 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."