When I felt low, anxious or frustrated about not getting opportunities, Mrs. Dhoni has led me with the right advice: Siddarth Kaul [Exclusive]

Siddarth Kaul was part of the Indian team that won the World Cup under the 19th under the leadership of Virat Kohli in 2008. The right-wing Pacer played three odis and so many T20i’s and picked up four wickets. Kaul has also been part of various Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises – Delhi Capitals (DC), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

During an exclusive chat with crictracker, Kaul revealed how his term of office with RCB ended in 2023. He also explained the legendary Mrs. Don’s influence on his career. The 35-year-old also spoke extensively about the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in International Cricket and his views on workload management in today’s cricket, where players can choose the games they want to play. Kaul also said he would like to play in overseas T20 competitions.

You were with RCB in IPL 2022 and 2023, but you only played one game combined in both seasons. What was the message of management after he had been released from the side?

There was no message. They just said we release. I said, thank you very much.

Have you received advice from Mrs. Dhoni in your career? If so, what is that?

It is often not just once. Every conversation with him is cherished because he has a big mindset and focuses on small details that can help you improve. I feel that if you even improve one skill or one technique in your batting or bowling every day, you are always one step for others.
He always points to simple, precise things. When I felt low, anxious or frustrated because I didn’t get any opportunities, he led me with the right advice. It helps me to concentrate less on the negatives and more on what I can do to improve.

Do you want to play an overseas T20 competitions?

I love playing, but it always depends on how I am picked. It is not up to me to decide; It is their decision whether they want me in the team. But to be honest, I really like to play.

Your view of Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma’s ODI -TOOP TOOK?

They are some of the greatest players produced by Team India in Odis, after Yuvi Bhai, Suresh Bhai and Shikhar Bhai. Most of them have been excellent. I don’t think we should talk too much about great players – they speak for themselves, and their bat always tells the story of what they have achieved.

Your opinion about the workload debate and players who choose and choose games?

I think it is important to understand what you should do as a player and to take responsibility for it. It is not about expecting someone else to manage your workload. Whether you are bowling, batting or fielding, you have to understand your body, how it works and how you can improve to perform at the highest level.

If you play internationally or inland, it is up to you to communicate with your trainer, physio or coach – who tells them how you feel and what you need, especially if you have competitions in two or three months. You must plan and prepare accordingly.

For me my season runs from September to the end of May. In between, I ensure that I train well, stay strong and have to be enough, so that I don’t break during the season. I was lucky to be in charge of my trainers and physios such as Sagar Deewan, Gaurav Sir, Ravi Sir, and of course my father, who helped me understand my bowling and body requirements.
So I think the tool management should start with yourself. If you are mentally and physically strong, you will achieve your goals. But if you are weak in both aspects, it is difficult to achieve what you want.

You will recently be honored by Bhagwat Man in PCA for your performance. Can you share something about this?

I think the amount of cricket I played and the work I did for the Punjab Cricket Association was recognized when they honored me. My secretary, Siddhant Sharma, and President, Mr Mehta Ji, called me personally and asked if I could come so that they could congratulate me. It was a great honor.

My parents, my wife, my children, the wife of my brother and his children were all there. It was a really cherished moment in my life. During my domestic career I took about 670 wickets about formats, I became the highest wicket tack in T20s, one-day and for Punjab in the Ranji trophy. With God’s grace, all my efforts were recognized, and so honored because it thinks about those playing days.
It was a “wow” moment – not just for me, but for my whole family, and something that we will always remember.

You have accompanied the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Cup until 2025. How is your experience?

It was a great experience with learning the various aspects of the game now that I don’t play. Because I am behind the scenes, I understand how the players think, how they intend to improve and how they can effectively guide them. I concentrate on advising what they should do instead of what they should not, and I learned a lot in the process. It was a really valuable and rewarding experience.

The Namur born in Pathankot also participated in a nice “this of that” match, where he made some interesting choices.

This or that (fast choices)

• Yorker or bouncer? Yorker
• IPL or international cricket? – International cricket
• Play under Dhoni or Virat? – Virat, he is my first captain in U19
• Waving or seam? – Swing
• Bowling in PowerPlay or Death Overs? – Death Overs
• Wicket in Eden Gardens or Wankhede? – We are ourselves
• Jasprit Bumrah’s Yorker or Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Swing? – Bhuvi’s Swing
• Bowling for Rohit Sharma in Netten or Virat Kohli in Netten? – Rohit Bhaiyya
• IPL Wicket or India debut Wicket? – Indian Debut Wicket