Kuldeep Yadav is back with a bang.
After being relegated to the role of 12th man during the group stages of the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA, the wily wrist-spinner’s resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable. The left-armer has taken 5 wickets in just two matches, including a match-winning 3fer against Bangladesh in Antigua.
Table of Contents
Think Tank Call
Kuldeep’s journey in this World Cup has been a tale of patience and tactical acumen. The Indian team management made the calculated decision to exclude the left-arm wrist spinner from the playing XI during the group-stage matches in the USA, a move rooted in the belief that the American pitches would not complement Kuldeep’s bowling style.
Instead, they strategically held him back for the Caribbean leg of the tournament, anticipating that the spin-friendly pitches in the West Indies would provide the perfect stage for him to showcase his skills. This decision, while potentially frustrating for the player, was part of a larger plan to maximize India’s bowling effectiveness as the tournament progressed into its critical stages.
Kuldeep has emphatically justified the team management’s decision. He returned figures of 2 for 32 against Afghanistan, before his standout performance against Bangladesh saw him at the height of his considerable powers, bamboozling batsmen with his variations and finishing with figures of 3 for 19. He first dismissed Tanzid Hasan with a googly, then outfoxed Towhid Hridoy with a straight delivery, before finally tempting Shakib Al Hasan into a mistimed shot.
From Drinks Carrier to Match-Winner
While Kuldeep may have been confined to the sidelines during India’s group stage matches in the USA, the talented spinner embraced his role as the 12th man with characteristic positivity. “I was helping out the team-mates and carrying the drinks [in the US]. That is more like playing,” he joked in a press conference. Despite his eagerness to contribute on the field, he has remained a consummate team player, understanding that his time would come once the tournament shifted to the Caribbean.
He approached his Super Eight debut with remarkable composure, treating it as just another game in his illustrious career and displaying a calm and focused mindset, refusing to let the pressure of the crucial stage affect his performance. “It’s very important to play every game, take every game as a normal game,” Kuldeep stated, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining consistency regardless of the occasion.
Reading Batters and Maintaining Length
Kuldeep and India will next face their sternest challenge yet this campaign against Australia, an opponent he has mixed memories of. He took a career-first hat-trick against them in a 2017 ODI, before suffering heartbreak in the World Cup Final in 2023. Despite the pressure of facing a top-tier opponent, Kuldeep remains steadfast and balanced in his approach. Rather than solely fixating on taking wickets, he has focussed on maintaining a consistent and effective length. “Length matters a lot for any spinner in the world.”
His ability to read the batters’ intentions and make swift adjustments to his line and length has been crucial. “When they try to attack you, if you have a proper plan against them and you are bowling in probably the better length, you have maximum chances of getting the batter out.”
Back on Familiar Turf for Kuldeep
Kuldeep Yadav’s journey with the Indian cricket team in the Caribbean has come full circle. Having made his T20I and ODI debuts as a 23 year old rookie spinner for India during the 2017 West Indies tour, Kuldeep’s return to these familiar shores as an experienced head has been crucial to continuing India’s World Cup challenge. “I knew the conditions very well, just the length and trying to vary my pace. So it’s perfect for spinners to come here and bowl.” he remarked. With the semi-finals looming beyond, Kuldeep will have one eye on the ultimate trophy.
