A dewy-eyed aspirant with dreams of becoming India’s next Zaheer Khan, Kuldeep Yadav began his cricketing journey as a left-arm fast bowler at an academy in Kanpur. However, both Kuldeep and his coach Kapil Pandey soon realised that his physique and natural skills were better suited elsewhere. Encouraged to take Robert Frost’s “road less travelled,” Kuldeep switched to slow left-arm unorthodox bowling — a decision that would redefine his career. A rare exponent of left-arm wrist spin in the modern era, Kuldeep emerged as one of the torchbearers responsible for reviving a dying art. He announced himself on the global stage at the 2014 Under-19 World Cup, finishing as India’s leading wicket-taker and becoming the first Indian to claim a hat-trick in the tournament’s history. The performance marked a watershed moment, earning him recognition from selectors. Further exposure in the 2016 Duleep Trophy only enhanced his reputation, as he finished with 17 wickets in three matches and guided his side to the final — an exceptional return for a young spinner still considered a rookie. Kuldeep’s consistent domestic performances earned him a call-up to the Indian Test squad for the 2017 home series against Australia. Handed his debut cap by Anil Kumble in Dharamsala, Kuldeep replaced an injured Virat Kohli and stunned the experienced Australian batting line-up with his guile. His four-wicket haul on debut played a pivotal role in India reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Later in 2017, Kuldeep made his ODI debut on the tour of the West Indies and finished as the joint highest wicket-taker. After being surprisingly overlooked early in the Sri Lanka series, he returned with a vengeance, claiming a memorable hat-trick against Australia — India’s first in ODIs in over two decades. His Test career followed soon after, and in 2018 he picked up a five-wicket haul on debut against the West Indies. Despite not being the most athletic, Kuldeep evolved rapidly, mastering the nuances of wrist spin. His performances in South Africa in early 2018 showcased his control, deception, and intelligent use of flight and crease. With his ability to beat batters in the air and disguise his googly, Kuldeep began to look like the standard-bearer of a left-arm wrist-spin revival, reminiscent of Shane Warne’s influence in the 1990s. In limited-overs cricket, Kuldeep formed a formidable partnership with Yuzvendra Chahal. Together, the ‘Kul-Cha’ duo transformed India’s white-ball spin attack, keeping senior spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja out of the limited-overs setup between 2018 and 2020. Kuldeep’s rise culminated in selection for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. However, the tide soon turned. As batters grew more accustomed to wrist spin, Kuldeep’s mystery began to fade. A dip in form, rising economy rates, injuries — including a serious knee injury requiring surgery — and changing team combinations saw him fall out of favour. Criticised for his lack of pace and perceived one-dimensionality, Kuldeep endured a prolonged period on the sidelines. Yet, resilience defined his comeback. Returning fit in 2022, Kuldeep delivered a Player-of-the-Match performance against Bangladesh, taking eight wickets in the series opener. Though inconsistently selected thereafter, he continued to make strong impressions when given chances, notably dismantling South Africa with figures of 4-18 in an ODI in October 2022. While no longer an automatic selection, Kuldeep ensured he remained a valuable three-format option. Kuldeep’s IPL journey mirrored his international career’s ebbs and flows. Signed by Mumbai Indians in 2012, he failed to break into the XI and later moved to Kolkata Knight Riders, where opportunities remained limited initially. Given a chance in 2016, he impressed, though competition restricted his game time. The 2017 and 2018 seasons saw steady improvement, highlighted by a match-winning 4-for-20 against Rajasthan Royals. A sharp decline followed in 2019 and 2020, culminating in his omission from KKR’s playing XI. Injuries further hampered his progress in 2021. However, a move to Delhi Capitals in 2022 proved transformative. Kuldeep enjoyed a resurgence, claiming 21 wickets in 14 matches and re-establishing himself as a premier spinner. His revival earned him a retention ahead of the 2023 IPL, completing a remarkable journey of reinvention and resilience.
