Kuldeep Yadav: The Magician of Indian Spin Strikes Again
In cricket, deception isn’t just a skill — it’s a performance. And Kuldeep Yadav is the ultimate illusionist. On Sunday morning, he mesmerized everyone at the Arun Jaitley Stadium with a spellbinding display of spin. His 5 for 82 against the West Indies put India in a dominant position, though the visitors managed to stretch the game to Day 4 — a rare feat in recent India-West Indies Tests.
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Missed Chance in England
Even the Indian team’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, admitted that Kuldeep’s recent form makes you wonder what could have been. “He’s shown that even on unhelpful wickets, he can make things happen,” Doeschate said. He suggested that India might have missed a trick by not playing Kuldeep in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England. According to him, the spinner’s current rhythm could justify going “a batter light” in future Tests to make room for him.
A Spinner of Subtlety
What makes Kuldeep stand out is his ability to disguise intentions. Subtle changes in angle, flight, and pace make each delivery unpredictable. This was clear in his two dismissals of Shai Hope across Tests — one bowled by a googly in Ahmedabad, the other deceived by drift and loop in Delhi. It’s a masterclass in mind games, the kind of artistry only a true magician can pull off.
Learning and Evolving
Former Indian spinner Sairaj Bahutule praised Kuldeep’s evolution, highlighting his hard work on both fitness and variations. “He uses different deliveries effectively without changing his action,” Bahutule noted. Kuldeep’s control and consistency have grown with every opportunity, showing how much he has learned to adapt his craft to different conditions.
Self-Taught Genius
Kuldeep’s journey is one of self-discovery and persistence. Having played just 15 Tests over eight and a half years, he knew every chance mattered. His strength lies in dip and loop, achieved through precise body control — separating the top and bottom halves just at the right moment. The result? The ball appears fuller but drops shorter, tricking even seasoned batters like Hope.
Creating Magic on the Field
Kuldeep’s artistry was on full display as he dismissed Tevin Imlach, Justin Greaves, and Jayden Seales in quick succession, allowing skipper Shubman Gill to enforce the follow-on. Though he found lesser help from the pitch later, his name remained in the West Indies’ minds heading into Day 4. As Kuldeep himself put it, “You have to create magic on the field — and that’s what I always think about.”
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