Indian cricket player Kuldeep Yadav got a flurry of happy birthday messages online when he turned 29 on December 14, Thursday. He’s now with the India team in South Africa, competing in the T20I series.
This year, the left-arm wrist spinner has been in terrific form in international cricket. Kuldeep was instrumental in India’s triumph in the Asia Cup in September and then bowled brilliantly in the 2023 World Cup, which India controlled till the last match. Yadav took 15 wickets in 11 games at the mega-tournament.
Three days after the 2023 World Cup final, he and a few other prominent players were rested for the five-match Twenty20 International series against Australia. Tuesday’s second Twenty20 International match against South Africa in Gqeberha marked Kuldeep Yadav’s comeback to action this week. In a three-over session, he gave up 26 runs and claimed a wicket.
Fans and members of the cricket community quickly wished Kuldeep Yadav a happy 29th birthday on social media with unique tweets on Thursday. Some of the wishes are as follows:
Zaheer Khan explains why Kuldeep Yadav is not a powerplay option in Indian T20I team
Former Indian bowler Zaheer Khan recently suggested that Ravi Bishnoi be selected ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in the T20s against South Africa.
He believes that Bishnoi’s addition boosts the team’s versatility because of his ability to bowl in several phases, including the powerplay. Zaheer Khan stated in a Cricbuzz video:
“Ravi Bishnoi is someone who they should continue with because that gives you flexibility as well. He bowls in the powerplay. If you go for Kuldeep Yadav, he doesn’t bowl in the powerplay. So, that should be the thought process there. After the last series, if you don’t play Ravi Bishnoi, that means you are taking out both the bowlers who bowled four overs in the powerplay.”
Zaheer Khan
Parthiv Patel agreed with Zaheer, saying:
“That’s where continuity makes a big difference, especially to a young player who’s had a good series. If you give him that continuity, that confidence grows, and a wrist-spinner needs that confidence. We all know how well Kuldeep has bowled in the recent past. So, there is nothing new to see.”
Parthiv Patel
Ravi Bishnoi was the best wicket-taker in India’s five-match T20I series against Australia last month. He was named Player of the Series and ascended to top place in the ICC T20I bowlers rankings. However, he was benched for the second T20I against South Africa in favor of Kuldeep.