XtraTime Web Desk: India’s chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has hailed Australian spin wizard Shane Warne as his mentor and a friend. The duo shared a great rapport since meeting for the first time in 2017.


Kuldeep, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2017 in Pune was introduced to Warne by then India head coach Anil Kumble.
In a recent Instagram Live show with TV presenter Madonna Tixeira, Kuldeep said, "I met Shane Warne during a Test match in Pune. When I met him for the first time, Anil Kumble was our coach and I had told him I want to meet Shane Warne. When I finally did, I couldn't say anything for 10 minutes. He was talking with Anil bhai, explaining to him something. I was just listening to both of them. Then finally, I started to talk. We talked a lot. I told him about my plans, about how I feel while bowling, how I try to bowl from different sides of the wicket. He told me 'You think a lot'."


The Kolkata Knight Rider’s spinner added, "He is mentally very strong. I think more than his bowling, he got the batsmen out with his mind. His planning used to be a lot better. He said a lot of little things which tend to matter a lot."

Kuldeep has met Warne on a number of occasions since the first meeting and shared a good bond with each other.
"I met him many times after that. He always used to guide me like a coach. Gradually he became like a friend. I spent a lot of time with him during our Australia tour. I always got the feeling that if I needed someone for suggestions he would be there. I chatted a lot on phone calls and messages,” signed off Kuldeep.

Shane Warne has been like a mentor and friend to him, says Kuldeep Yadav