Kuldeep Yadav

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Kuldeep Yadav

| image = Kuldeep Yadav in PMO New Delhi.jpg

| caption = Yadav in 2024

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|12|14|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, India

| height = 5 ft 6 in

| batting = Left-handed

| bowling = Left-arm wrist spin

| role = Bowler

| international = true

| internationalspan = 2017–present

| country = India

| testdebutdate = 25 March

| testdebutyear = 2017

| testdebutagainst = Australia

| lasttestdate = 16 October

| lasttestyear = 2024

| lasttestagainst = New Zealand

| testcap = 288

| odidebutdate = 23 June

| odidebutyear = 2017

| odidebutagainst = West Indies

| lastodidate = 9 March

| lastodiyear = 2025

| lastodiagainst = New Zealand

| odicap = 218

| odishirt = 23

| T20Idebutdate = 9 July

| T20Idebutyear = 2017

| T20Idebutagainst = West Indies

| lastT20Idate = 29 June

| lastT20Iyear = 2024

| lastT20Iagainst = South Africa

| T20Icap = 69

| T20Ishirt = 23

| club2 = Mumbai Indians

| year2 = 2012

| clubnumber1 =

| club3 = Kolkata Knight Riders

| year3 = 2014–2021

| clubnumber2 = 23

| club1 = Uttar Pradesh

| year1 = 2009–present

| clubnumber3 = 3

| club4 = Delhi Capitals

| year4 = 2022–present

| columns = 4

| column1 = Test

| matches1 = 13

| runs1= 199

| bat avg1= 13.26

| 100s/50s1= 0/0

| top score1= 40

| deliveries1 = 2,093

| wickets1 = 56

| bowl avg1 = 22.16

| fivefor1 = 4

| tenfor1 = 0

| best bowling1 = 5/40

| catches/stumpings1= 4/–

| column2 = ODI

| matches2 = 113

| runs2= 207

| bat avg2= 9.85

| 100s/50s2= 0/0

| top score2= 19

| deliveries2 = 5,754

| wickets2 = 181

| bowl avg2 = 26.44

| fivefor2 = 2

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 6/25

| catches/stumpings2= 17/–

| column3 = T20I

| matches3 = 40

| runs3= 46

| bat avg3= 11.50

| 100s/50s3= 0/0

| top score3= 23*

| deliveries3 = 860

| wickets3 = 69

| bowl avg3 = 14.07

| fivefor3 = 2

| tenfor3 = 0

| best bowling3 = 5/17

| catches/stumpings3= 12/–

| column4 = FC

| matches4 = 43

| runs4= 1,050

| bat avg4= 21.00

| 100s/50s4= 1/6

| top score4= 117

| deliveries4 = 7,970

| wickets4 = 164

| bowl avg4 = 29.36

| fivefor4 = 8

| tenfor4 = 0

| best bowling4 = 6/79

| catches/stumpings4= 15/–

| date = 24 March 2025

| source = https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/kuldeep-yadav-559235 ESPNcricinfo

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}

}}

Kuldeep Yadav (born 14 December 1994) is an Indian international cricketer. A left-arm unorthodox spinner, he plays for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket and Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.{{Cite magazine|date=January 31, 2021 |title=Kuldeep Yadav reflects on his need to perform consistently for Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2021|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/kuldeep-yadav-chinman-performance-consistency-kkr-ipl-cricket-1764510-2021-01-31|access-date=2021-08-29|magazine=India Today|language=en}} He was an integral member of the Indian team that won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Yadav has played for the Indian Under-19 cricket team and played in the 2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} On 18 December 2019, against the West Indies, he became the first bowler for India to take two hat-tricks in international cricket.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28324821/stats-rohit-sharma-second-only-sachin-tendulkar |title=Stats - Rohit Sharma second only to Sachin Tendulkar |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 December 2019}} On 17 January 2020, in the second ODI against Australia, Yadav became the fastest spin bowler for India, in terms of innings, to take 100 wickets in ODI cricket, in his 58th innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/india-vs-australia-kuldeep-yadav-becomes-fastest-indian-spinner-to-get-100-odi-wickets-2462661.html |title=India vs Australia: Kuldeep Yadav Becomes Fastest Indian Spinner to Get 100 ODI Wickets |work=Network18 Media and Investments Ltd |access-date=17 January 2020}} He helped his national side to win the 2018 Asia Cup as he took the most wickets during the tournament at 10 along with Rashid Khan and Mustafizur Rahman, and being the highest wicket taker for India. He made his international test debut against Australia in Dharmsala on 25 March 2017.

Early and domestic career

Yadav was born in Unnao but raised in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, the son of a brick kiln owner.{{Cite web |date=2017-03-25 |title=Kuldeep Yadav: Son of brick kiln owner makes his family proud vs Australia |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/kuldeep-yadav-son-of-brick-kiln-owner-makes-his-family-proud/story-xm3ghT00qpmx21VCb4DahL.html |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} In an interview, he revealed that it was his father who wanted him to continue playing cricket and even took him to a coach. Inspired by bowling greats Wasim Akram and Zaheer Khan, he wanted to become a left-arm seamer. However, given his slight build, his coach insisted on him becoming a wrist-spin bowler as he was impressed with the turn and variations he was providing unknowingly at the trials. Since then, he started following and watching videos of Shane Warne's bowling and made him his role model.

{{Blockquote|"I keep watching videos of Warne. His grip of the ball, length of deliveries and use of the crease are unbeatable. I try to learn from the footage"|Kuldeep Yadav in an interview}}

Yadav also revealed that earlier in his life, there was a dark phase in his life when he thought of giving up cricket and committing suicide, when he was not selected in the Uttar Pradesh’s under-15 team.{{cite web|url=https://xtratime.in/kuldeep-wanted-to-become-a-pacer-says-his-coach-kapil-dev-pandey/|title=Kuldeep wanted to become a pacer, says his coach Kapil Dev Pandey|work=xtratime.in|date=25 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/kuldeep-yadav-wasim-akram-dharamsala-test-coach-kapil-pandey-chinaman-cricket/18108156|title=Kuldeep wanted to be an Akram; nothing doing said coach Kapil Pandey|work=Mid Day|date=26 March 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/when-a-young-kuldeep-yadav-thought-of-suicide-after-cricket-selection-snub/story-12gSKqjTkxXAtIT43PST5M.html|title=When a young Kuldeep Yadav thought of suicide after cricket selection snub|work=HindustanTimes|date=12 November 2017}}

Yadav was a member of the Mumbai Indians squad in 2012 and signed up by the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014, whom he represented at the 2014 Champions League Twenty20.

In January 2018, Yadav was bought back by KKR in the 2018 IPL auction.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22218394/ipl-2018-player-auction-list-sold-unsold-players |title=List of sold and unsold players |access-date=27 January 2018 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} Four years later, he was bought by Delhi Capitals in the auction for the 2022 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2022-auction-the-list-of-sold-and-unsold-players-1300689 |title=IPL 2022 auction: The list of sold and unsold players |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=13 February 2022}} Yadav won the player-of-the-match award four times, most by any player that season.{{cite web |last1=Bandarupalli |first1=Sampath |title=IPL 2022 - The wristspinners' domination and middle-overs acceleration |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2022-the-domination-of-wristspinners-and-middle-overs-acceleration-1317683 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=16 September 2023 |language=en |date=31 May 2022}}

International career

Yadav was selected in the Indian cricket team to play against West Indies in October 2014 but did not appear in any match.{{cite web|title=Kuldeep Yadav selected in India's squad for West Indies ODIs|url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/65976/kuldeep-yadav-selected-in-indias-squad-for-west-indies-odis|publisher=Cricbuzz|access-date=26 August 2016}} In February 2017, he was added to India's Test squad for their one-off match against Bangladesh.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-bangladesh-2016-17/content/story/1081393.html |title=Kuldeep Yadav replaces injured Mishra |access-date=7 February 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=7 February 2017 }} He made his Test debut for India against Australia on 25 March 2017, at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, taking four wickets in the first innings.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1062576.html |title=Australia tour of India, 4th Test: India v Australia at Dharamsala, Mar 25-29, 2017 |access-date=25 March 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} Yadav is the first left-arm wrist spin bowler to represent India national cricket team in Test cricket. He is also only the third such bowler in Test cricket to take four wickets on debut.

In June 2017, Yadav was named in India's squad for a limited overs tour to the West Indies.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-india-2017/content/story/1103944.html |title=Pant, Kuldeep picked for West Indies tour |access-date=15 June 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=15 June 2017 }} He made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India against the West Indies on 23 June 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1098206.html |title=India tour of West Indies, 1st ODI: West Indies v India at Port of Spain, Jun 23, 2017 |access-date=23 June 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} However, during this game, he was unable to bowl a single delivery as the game ended with no result due to rain during the first innings while India was batting. He was ultimately able to bowl in the next match of the series, where he took three wickets.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1098207.html |title=India tour of West Indies, 2nd ODI: West Indies v India at Port of Spain, Jun 25, 2017 |access-date=28 June 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} He made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for India against the West Indies on 9 July 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11124/scorecard/1098211/west-indies-vs-india-only-t20i-wi-v-ind-2017/|title=Only T20I, India tour of West Indies at Kingston, Jul 9 2017. Match Summary |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 July 2018}}

On 21 September 2017, Yadav became the third bowler for India to take a hat-trick in an ODI after Chetan Sharma and Kapil Dev. He took the hat-trick at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, against Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17974/scorecard/1119497/India-vs-Australia-2nd-ODI-aus-in-ind-2017-18-2017-18|title=2nd ODI (D/N), Australia tour of India at Kolkata, Sep 21 2017|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 September 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/kuldeep-yadav-becomes-third-indian-bowler-to-pick-up-a-hat-trick-in-odi-cricket-india-vs-australia-4854947/|title=Kuldeep Yadav becomes third Indian bowler to pick up an ODI hat-trick|date=21 September 2017|work=The Indian Express|access-date=21 September 2017}}

On 3 July 2018, Yadav took his first five-for in a T20I and also became the first left-arm wrist-spin bowler to take five wickets in a T20I during the first T20I against England, in fact he also became only the third Indian after Yuzvendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar to take a five-wicket haul in a T20I.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/kuldeep-yadavs-hunger-for-wickets-impresses-mohinder-amarnath/articleshow/64863660.cms|title=Kuldeep Yadav's hunger for wickets impresses Mohinder Amarnath - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=6 July 2018}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18018/report/1119543/england-vs-india-1st-t20i-ind-eng-2018|title=Brilliant Kuldeep and KL Rahul give India a perfect start|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=13 July 2018}}

On 12 July 2018, during the first ODI against England, Yadav grabbed his maiden five-wicket haul in an ODI and also set a new record for registering the best bowling figures by a left-arm spin bowler of any kind in an ODI (6/25).{{Cite news|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24079498/stats-kuldeep-yadav-scales-new-record-left-arm-wristspin|title=Kuldeep scales new record for left-arm wristspin|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=13 July 2018}} He also shattered the record of Shahid Afridi for registering the best bowling figures by a spinner against England in ODIs and also broke Afridi's record for recording the best ever bowling figures by a spinner in an ODI in England.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-1st-odi-records-galore-for-kuldeep-yadav/articleshow/64966031.cms|title=India vs England 1st ODI: Records galore for Kuldeep Yadav - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=13 July 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44815364|title=England v India: Record-breaking Kuldeep Yadav bamboozles hosts|date=2018-07-12|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 July 2018|language=en-GB}}

On 6 October 2018, in the first test against West Indies, Yadav took his first five-wicket haul in Tests.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/kuldeep-yadav-maiden-test-5-wicket-haul-india-vs-west-indies-rajkot-test-1357220-2018-10-06 |title=Kuldeep Yadav spins a web around West Indies to grab maiden 5-wicket haul in Tests |work=India Today |date=6 October 2018 |access-date=6 October 2018}}

After an impressive outing against Australia, in the T20I series of India tour of Australia 2018/19, Kuldeep jumped 20 places to claim a career-best third position in the MRF ICC T20I Bowlers Rankings, updated on 26 November 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/922089|title=Yadav and Zampa break into top-five among T20I bowlers|work=ICC|access-date=26 November 2018}}

On 6 January 2019, in the fourth Test against Australia at the SCG and in Yadav's first Test match on Australian soil, he took his second five-wicket haul (5/99) in Tests, in Australia's first innings.{{cite news|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2018-19/india-vs-australia-4th-test-day-4-kuldeep-yadav-stars-as-india-force-australia-to-follow-on-1973334|title=4th Test, Day 4: Kuldeep Yadav Stars As India Force Australia To Follow-On|work=NDTV sports|date=6 January 2019}}

On 11 February 2019, Yadav moved to second position in the T20I Bowlers Rankings.{{cite web |url=http://espncricinfo.com/_/id/25970200/kuldeep-slots-behind-Rashid-in-T20Is |title=Kuldeep moves to 2nd place |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=2019-02-11}} In April 2019, he was named in India's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26528278/rahul-karthik-pant-rayudu-india-world-cup-squad |title=Rahul and Karthik in, Pant and Rayudu out of India's World Cup squad |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=15 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1179330 |title=Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar in India's World Cup squad |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=15 April 2019}} On 30 June 2019, in the match against England, Kuldeep played in his 50th ODI.{{cite web|url=https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket/icc-cricket-world-cup-2019-match-38-england-vs-india-stats-preview/ |title=ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (Match 38): England vs India – Stats Preview |work=Cricket Addictor |date=29 June 2019 |access-date=30 June 2019}} On 18 December 2019, against West Indies he became the first bowler for India to take two hat-tricks in ODIs.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/west-indies-in-india/india-vs-west-indies-kuldeep-yadav-becomes-first-indian-to-take-2nd-international-hat-trick/articleshow/72873857.cms |title=India vs West Indies: Kuldeep Yadav becomes first Indian to take 2nd international hat-trick |work=The Times of India |access-date=18 December 2019}}

Yadav was included in India's ODI squad for the 2023 tour of the Caribbean. He had a good series coming after poor form following the 2019 World Cup. He picked seven wickets at 8.71,{{cite web |last1=Agarwal |first1=Naman |date=2 August 2023 |title=Marks Out Of 10: India Player Ratings For The West Indies ODI Series |url=https://www.wisden.com/series/india-in-west-indies-and-united-states-2023/cricket-news/marks-out-of-10-india-player-ratings-for-the-west-indies-odi-series |access-date=1 April 2025 |website=Wisden}} and was retained in the squad for the Asia Cup that year.{{cite news |title=Rahul, Shreyas and Tilak make it to India's Asia Cup squad |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/india-asia-cup-squad-rahul-shreyas-and-bumrah-make-the-cut-1392042 |access-date=16 September 2023 |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=21 August 2023 |language=en}} In India's first match, against Pakistan, Yadav returned figures of 5/25, becoming the fifth bowler for his country to claim a five-wicket haul against Pakistan, and helped his team win by 228 runs.{{cite news |last1=Chowdhury |first1=Sabyasachi |title=India vs Pakistan: Kuldeep Yadav joins Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly in elite list after 5-wicket haul |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-vs-pakistan-kuldeep-yadav-joins-sachin-tendulkar-sourav-ganguly-in-elite-list-after-5-wicket-haul-2434418-2023-09-11 |access-date=16 September 2023 |work=India Today |date=11 September 2023 |language=en}} In the following match against Sri Lanka, he delivered another match-winning performance, claiming 4/43, and in the process, became the quickest Indian spinner to reach 150 ODI wickets in terms of matches played (88), going past Anil Kumble.{{cite news |title=Kuldeep Yadav Breaks Anil Kumble's Record As He Reaches 150 Wickets Mark In ODIs |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/asia-cup-2023/kuldeep-yadav-breaks-anil-kumbles-record-as-he-surpasses-150-wickets-mark-in-odis-4385061 |access-date=16 September 2023 |work=NDTVSports.com |date=13 September 2023 |language=en}} He finished with nine wickets; India won the tournament, and Yadav was named player of the tournament.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Devesh |title=Asia Cup 2023 Final: Player of tournament, runner up award. Check full list |url=https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/india-vs-sri-lanka-asia-cup-2023-final-player-of-tournament-runner-up-award-check-full-list-of-awards-11694959183584.html |access-date=17 September 2023 |work=Mint |date=17 September 2023 |language=en}}

File:Prime Minister Of Bharat Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi with Shri Kuldeep Yadav.jpg

In 2023 Cricket World Cup, Kuldeep Yadav was on the money from the first match against Australia, picking up 2 wickets for just 42 runs.{{Cite web |title=Cricket scorecard - India vs Australia, 5th Match, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scorecard/75437/ind-vs-aus-5th-match-icc-cricket-world-cup-2023 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Cricbuzz |language=en}} He bowled even better against Pakistan, taking 2 wickets for 35 runs.{{Cite web |title=Cricket scorecard - India vs Pakistan, 12th Match, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scorecard/75476/ind-vs-pak-12th-match-icc-cricket-world-cup-2023 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Cricbuzz |language=en}} He enjoyed less success against Bangladesh, getting just 1 wicket for 47 runs.{{Cite web |title=Cricket scorecard - India vs Bangladesh, 17th Match, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scorecard/75493/ind-vs-ban-17th-match-icc-cricket-world-cup-2023 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Cricbuzz |language=en}} A tame bowling spell against New Zealand cast doubts over Kuldeep's ability to counter aggression from the batters. However, he answered his critics with a splendid bowling spell against England, getting 2 for 24.{{Cite web |title=Cricket scorecard - India vs England, 29th Match, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/live-cricket-scorecard/75542/ind-vs-eng-29th-match-icc-cricket-world-cup-2023 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Cricbuzz |language=en}}

He even took a fifer against England in 2024. In May 2024, he was named in India's squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.{{Cite web |title=India's Squad for the ICC Men's T20I World Cup 2024 |url=https://www.scorewaves.com/news-details/cricket-team-world-cup-squad-icc-mens-t20i-world-cup-2024 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=ScoreWaves |language=en}}

References

External links

{{cricinfo|id=559235}}
[http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/India/Kuldeep-Yadav/52941.html Kuldeep Yadav] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228125843/http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/India/Kuldeep-Yadav/52941.html |date=28 February 2015 }}'s profile page on Wisden

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