Kuldeep Yadav proves himself India’s trump card in T20Is

In the end, an incredible, career-defining innings from Tilak Varma resonated the loudest after India beat Pakistan in a nerve-shedding Asia Cup final in Dubai, but in years to come it must not be forgotten what Kuldeep Yadav contributed to that ninth title victory. 

At 30, having drifted in and out of the Indian team, across three formats, Kuldeep has once again wasted no time in reminding the selectors just how valuable he remains. He finished as the Asia Cup’s leading wicket-taker, showing commendable knowledge of how to bowl on those sluggish tracks in Dubai. His 17 wickets at an average of 9.29 were central to India staying unbeaten, and no team in the competition truly managed to put him away with ease. 

After sitting out all five Tests in England and not featuring in a T20I for over a year before the start of the Asia Cup, Kuldeep has underlined his importance during this tournament. If Abhishek Sharma was the standout with the bat, then it’s Kuldeep who has gone about his business with minimal fuss.

His 4/7 against the UAE was devastating, but his three-wicket bursts against Pakistan in the group stage and Bangladesh in the Super Fours were equally impactful. Even when not running through sides, Kuldeep ensured control. Cases in point: his 1/31 in both the second clash with Pakistan and the high-scoring game versus Sri Lanka. His economy of 6.27 is the second-best of the tournament, just behind Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed.

In the final against Pakistan on Sunday, it was Kuldeep’s big-match temperament that set him apart. He took some tap early on, conceding two sixes in his first two overs as he tossed the ball up in the slot to be heaved across the line. Twelve balls, 23 runs. Kuldeep’s brow was furrowed, and he was taken out of the attack. But you didn’t at all get the sense that he was done for the evening.

When Suryakumar Yadav called Kuldeep back to bowl the 13th over, once the opening stand was broken at 84, the pressure had eased. Fakhar Zaman was there, but slowing. And Saim Ayub didn’t look too convincing. Fifth ball of the over, Ayub tried to cut a ball that hurried on him and spooned a catch to backward point. Pakistan were 113/2 and a collapse for the ages had been cued. 

Suryakumar held Kuldeep back until the 17th over, by which time the innings had slipped to 133/5. Kuldeep had a twinkle in his eyes as he flipped the ball in his hands. You got the feeling something was about to happen. It did. 

Three wickets in the over, each down to smart flight and some trademark Pakistani madness, and Kuldeep walked off doffing his cap to the cheering spectators. His final analysis of 4/30 was just another example of how far he has come from the bowler who fell to his knees, tears in his eyes, during an IPL game in 2019 in which he conceded 27 runs. 

He is no stranger to knockout matches. Earlier this year in Dubai, his 2/40 was key in pulling New Zealand back during the ICC Champions Trophy final. In the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final against England, Kuldeep claimed 3/19. And back in 2018, when India lifted the Asia Cup in Dubai, he had chipped in with three wickets.

This a spinner who knows what to do on the grandest stage. Gone are the days when Kuldeep used to get rattled. His control, guile, and ability to exploit Dubai’s slow tracks have been commendable this tournament. And India benefitted from his success. 

Having Varun Chakravarthy, the top-ranked spinner in T20Is, has helped Kuldeep’s figures. In matches played alongside Chakravarthy, Kuldeep’s bowling average has dropped to 10.05, his economy rate to 6.42 and strike-rate to 9.3.

Kuldeep sits at sixth on India’s overall T20I wicket-takers’ list, with the lowest average (13.12) and third lowest economy (6.70) for all bowlers with at least 25 wickets. With a T20 World Cup looming in early 2026 – to be played in India and Sri Lanka – it is imperative that he stays fit, so that India go into the tournament with their premier spinner raring to go.