How Kuldeep Yadav Performed In His First Match After India ODI Snub

Kuldeep Yadav [Source: @HexaStatz/X.com]

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav made an impressive start to his Yorkshire career on Friday as he starred in the One-Day Cup match against Glamorgan. 

The left-arm wrist-spinner, who recently signed for Yorkshire, finally got the opportunity to showcase his talent after being left out of India's playing XI during the England tour.

Notably, Kuldeep, who signed with Yorkshire on July 22 made an immediate impact with the ball. Playing at The Gnoll Cricket Ground in Neath, Wales, the 31-year-old returned excellent figures of 2 for 39 in his full quota of 10 overs.

Although he had to wait until the end of his spell for wickets, Kuldeep remained disciplined throughout his bowling. Eventually, he struck in 44th over of Glamorgan's innings.

Kuldeep Yadav Impresses With Ball In England

On the 1st ball of the over, he dismissed Alex Horton, who was caught by Will Bennison after scoring 30 runs from 42 balls. Then, just two deliveries later, Kuldeep picked up another wicket as Jamie McIlroy departed for a two-ball duck.

Notably, Kuldeep's spell played a key role in restricting Glamorgan to 186 runs in 47 overs. However, he was not the only bowler to shine for Yorkshire. Benjamin Cliff produced a match-winning spell of 4 for 29 in 8 overs, while George Hill and Jack White claimed 2 wickets each.

Moreover, Kuldeep Yadav also made a useful contribution with the bat. Notably, he scored 12 valuable runs during Yorkshire's chase, helping his side register 2-wicket win.

Also Read: Shubman Gill Speaks Publicly On Kuldeep Yadav After Recent Bashing

Kuldeep Continues To Wait for India's Trust

Interestingly, Kuldeep's impressive outing came just days after he was overlooked for India's ongoing T20I series against Zimbabwe. Although he was selected in ODI squad for the recently concluded IND vs ENG series, he did not get a single opportunity to play.

Instead, Kuldeep Yadav spent the entire ODI series on the bench as India eventually lost the 3-match series. Notably, the decision surprised many fans, especially considering his ability to break partnerships and take wickets in the middle overs. 

Furthermore, under head coach Gautam Gambhir, the Indian team has preferred all-round options who can contribute with both bat and ball. As a result, players like Axar Patel and Washington Sundar have been given more opportunities, while Kuldeep has slipped down the pecking order despite his proven record.

The left-arm spinner has consistently delivered for India over the years, yet the team management has shown limited faith in him in recent months. Consequently, his chances have become fewer despite his match-winning ability.

What's Next For Kuldeep Yadav?

Despite the recent setbacks, Kuldeep's international journey is far from over. The Kanpur-born spinner is expected to return to India's squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka next month. 

Before returning to international duty, he will play four more One-Day Cup matches for Yorkshire. After that, he is also scheduled to return to England in September to feature in three of Yorkshire's final four County Championship matches.

Also Read: BCCI Gives Final Verdict On Rohit Sharma’s ODI Future