Kuldeep Yadav Weighs in on FIFA World Cup Final: “France Will Win”

Kuldeep Yadav is known in the locker room for liking football and he has picked a winner for the FIFA World Cup.
Aaryan Khanna
Football
Updated:
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In the three T20Is and one ODI he has played so far, talented chinaman Kuldeep Yadav has been bamboozling English batsmen on their home turf. However, it turns out the young spinner has been following another sporting event.

And it is not just any competition that has held Kuldeep’s attention, but the biggest footballing event in the world: the FIFA World Cup being held in Russia. Kuldeep has joined the rest of the world in following the ups and downs of the event – and even has a favourite for the Final on Sunday, 15 July.

A self-professed football fan, Kuldeep was interviewed by teammate KL Rahul on his outspoken love for the game, in a video which was posted on the BCCI’s official Twitter account.

When asked what his favourite team was, and his pick for the World Cup champion, Kuldeep tipped Les Bleus to win the tournament.

Before the World Cup started, I was supporting Brazil. But they were knocked out by a good side – Belgium. Now the final is between Croatia and France. I think France is going to lift the cup.
Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep’s team of choice, Brazil, has been knocked out of the FIFA World Cup, a good example of how the 2018 edition in Russia has not been kind to “favourites”. Croatia is quite the underdog against the French team, which even Rahul expects will lift the World Cup trophy this year.

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The conversation then turned to cricket, where Kuldeep admitted he was a “bit nervous” before the first ODI against England at Trent Bridge. That didn’t stop him from taking a historic 6/25, a first for a left-arm spinner in One Day Internationals.

23-year-old Kuldeep credited his immense success and consistency to his bowling coach Kapil Pande, as well as senior figures in the locker room like skipper Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni,

He (coach Kapil Pande) works hard with me. Whenever I go home I work with him a lot... In the team, Virat <i>bhai, </i>Mahi <i>bhai</i>, the coach, all the supporting staff and players, they all support me a lot
Kuldeep Yadav, on his recent success

Both Yadav and Rahul wrapped up the interview by talking about the importance of fitness in an athlete’s life.

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Published: 14 Jul 2018,09:47 PM IST

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