On Day 3 of the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav delivered a historic performance. Claiming a five-wicket haul, he became the fastest left-arm wrist spinner to achieve five such hauls in Test cricket.
This achievement places him alongside England’s Johnny Wardle, who also has five five-wicket hauls, though Wardle took 28 matches to reach the milestone, whereas Kuldeep accomplished it in just 15 games. His sensational spell highlighted his growing dominance and consistency in the longest format of the sport.
Following India’s declaration at 518/5, the West Indies resumed their innings at 140/4. Kuldeep’s incisive bowling quickly dismantled the lower-order batsmen, leaving the visitors struggling to avoid the follow-on.
His wickets were crucial in shifting the momentum firmly in India’s favor, showcasing both his skill and strategic intelligence on the field. The speed with which Kuldeep reached this record emphasizes his unique ability to adapt to different match situations and apply relentless pressure on opposing batsmen.
Kuldeep Yadav’s record-breaking feat not only reinforces his importance in the Indian Test lineup but also signals his potential to become one of the most formidable left-arm wrist spinners in cricket history.
His performance against the West Indies demonstrates a combination of tactical brilliance and technical precision, making him a key asset in India’s quest for dominance in the longest format. Fans and cricket analysts alike are now keenly observing whether Kuldeep can maintain this level of performance and possibly surpass other historical benchmarks in international cricket.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!