The former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram recalled how Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami used to be shadows during his tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Akram was with the Kolkata-based franchise for six years, from 2010 to 2016, when he got to work with both the Indian talents. Recalling his days with the duo, Akram said that they were with him all the time and used to sit right beside him when they were not playing. He remembers how Kuldeep used to be hungry for growth, and that he can't even read Kuldeep's skill. Speaking on Sony Sports, Akram said, “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 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." He remembered how Mohammed Shami once went to drop him at the airport just to spend more time with him. Akram said, “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.'” Read also: Suryakumar Yadav Withdraws Junaid Siddique’s Dismissal Kuldeep Yadav leads India to a 9-wicket win against UAE Kuldeep Yadav was one of the best discoveries for the Indian team. He has that wrist spin specialty with his left hand that he often used to puzzle the batters. However, with time, he faded. He could not even make it into the playing XI of his former team KKR, and had to come to Delhi Capitals. Kuldeep did not feature in a single T20I match after the 2024 T20 Men's World Cup. He toured England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Test series but was benched throughout, creating massive turmoil among the critics. Notably, he shone against the UAE, taking 4 wickets, leaking just 7 runs. With that, he outperformed Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had the record of registering the best bowling figures for India in the Men's Asia Cup T20 format. On being awarded the player of the match memento, KD said, “Was working on my bowling and my fitness as well, everything is going perfectly. Tried to hit the right length and it matters a lot, reading the batters on what they are trying to do. Even today as well, reacting to what the batters would do on the next ball.” India started their Asia Cup campaign with a massive 9-wicket win against UAE. India's next assignment is on September 14, against Pakistan in Dubai.