Top 5 Best Bowling Performances of Kuldeep Yadav in IPL

Best Bowling Performances of Kuldeep Yadav in IPL

The Indian national team has a lot to thank IPL for, especially the two main spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Both have excelled and earned fame via this competition, but for Kuldeep, his first major breakthrough was in a different tournament. It was the 2014 edition of the now-defunct Champions League T20, where he was first given a chance by Gautam Gambhir.

He grabbed the opportunity with both hands and impressed in his very first stint in Kolkata Knight Riders‘ colours. He was even adjudged man of the match in the game against Perth Scorchers. Since then, the only way has been upwards for the spinner till last year.

5 Best Bowling Performances of Kuldeep Yadav in IPL

Though he had a very difficult 2019, Yadav has bowled many magical spells in IPL. Let us have a look at the top bowling performances of Kuldeep Yadav in IPL:

5. 2/29 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2018)

The first mention on our list of Best Bowling Performances of Kuldeep Yadav in IPL is from a very crucial encounter. It was a Qualifier 2 clash between KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens, with the winner getting a place in the final.

Batting first, Wriddhiman Saha and Shikhar Dhawan provided SRH with a great start. Yadav gave the hosts their first breakthrough in the 8th over, as he trapped Dhawan leg before wicket. In the very same over, he handed SRH another huge blow in the form of Kiwi batsman Kane Williamson. His two crucial wickets and economical spell were eventually wasted as SRH clinched the tie.

4. 2/25 vs Gujarat Lions (2017)

This spell is from KKR’s first match of the 2017 campaign, which took place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Batting first, Gujarat Lions lost Jason Roy early. From then on, skipper Suresh Raina and Brendon McCullum built a strong 50-run stand.

The partnership was broken by Yadav in the 9th over when he dismissed his current coach Brendon McCullum. In his next over, he got another wicket in the form of Australian batsman Aaron Finch. Yadav only conceded 25 runs in this match, which helped KKR a long way in getting the two points.

3. 3/35 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2016)

Kuldeep Yadav and Sunrisers Hyderabad have a special relationship when it comes to big games. This 2016 encounter was the Eliminator clash, meaning the loser would have to bid adieu to their title hopes. Batting first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, SRH lost Shikhar Dhawan early.

Australian duo Moises Henriques and David Warner added 59 runs for the second-wicket stand. The partnership was broken in stunning fashion by Yadav. The left-arm spinner got rid of both the batters in two consecutive deliveries. On a mission to destroy the Aussies, Yadav dismissed Australian all-rounder Ben Cutting later on in the innings. But just like 2018, his efforts were of no use as SRH sealed the place in Qualifier 2.

2. 3/32 vs Delhi Capitals (2018)

This mention on our list of top bowling performances of Kuldeep Yadav in IPL is again from 2018, which happens to be Yadav’s best season in IPL. Batting first against Delhi Capitals at the Eden Gardens, KKR scored a mighty total of 200.

Delhi had a horrific start to their run chase, losing their top three inside just three overs. Rishabh Pant and Glenn Maxwell tried to script a comeback, adding 62 runs for the fourth-wicket stand. The partnership was again broken by Kuldeep as he got rid of Pant. Yadav often hunts in packs, and hence added to his wickets tally in the very next over where he dismissed Maxwell. He completed his 3-wicket haul by dismissing Trent Boult in the 15th over.

1. 4/20 vs Rajasthan Royals (2018)

Kuldeep Yadav’s lone IPL 4-wicket haul came when KKR hosted Rajasthan Royals at their home turf in 2018. Current KKR player Rahul Tripathi gave Rajasthan Royals a brilliant start, with Englishman Jos Buttler to support him. After Tripathi was dismissed by Andre Russell, Yadav decided to join the party.

His first victim of the game was Ajinkya Rahane in the 8th over. In his next over, he tricked the dangerous Jos Buttler. Given his form, skipper Dinesh Karthik gave him two more consecutive overs, and he picked up a wicket in each. The first of the two was Stuart Binny, while he completed his first 4-wicket haul by dismissing English all-rounder Ben Stokes.