Asia Cup: Kuldeep Yadav returns to T20I setup in style with match-winning 4-fer against UAE

Kuldeep Yadav (R) celebrates with captain Suryakumar Yadav after taking the wicket of UAE's Rahul Chopra during the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and UAE, in Dubai. (Courtesy: PTI photo)

It was a no contest against the UAE and yet you needed to turn up and win it. India did just that and the sub plot was Kuldeep Yadav and how well he bowled. First, it was great to see Kuldeep play. For the longest time he has been waiting for his opportunity and finally when he did get it, he made it count.

Let me recount for my readers the story of two balls. Against the left hander, Kuldeep was coming from over the wicket and it was the perfect delivery. The batter had no idea that the ball would come in at the very last second and just prodded the bat in front. The ball eluded the bat, eluded Sanju Samson and went past for two byes with Varun Chakravarthy running in from fine leg to cut off the boundary. The bowler was the moral winner but the batter was still out there.

The next ball was even better. It yet again pitched on off, forced the batter to come forward and push his bat in front. Yet again it eluded the bat and this time it went thudding into the stumps. It was the perfect delivery and Axar Patel’s reaction, he rushed to Kuldeep to give him a hug, said it all. Kuldeep Yadav was clearly bowling at his best and it is a good sign ahead of the game against Pakistan.

Kuldeep, in many ways, is a confident bowler. If he is in rhythm, he could be unplayable. And that’s why it was an ace move to play him against the UAE and give him game time. He did not play a single Test match against England in England and looked rusty in the Duleep Trophy. Anyone will and it was essential he gets some game time. Now that he has bowled a few overs in a match situation, he will be ready for the Pakistan game come Sunday.

Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel form a fantastic spin troika for India. Each is different and on a wicket where the spinners will get assistance, it could well be India’s strength. With Shivam Dube also getting into the act, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we see India field the same team and Hardik Pandya bowling the first over.

Coming back to Kuldeep, you could see the difference. The ball was coming out perfectly from the hand, the pace was perfect and the guile, as always, was there. He has forever performed well against Pakistan and with this game time against the UAE, it will augur well for India. Kuldeep loves his football and to give a football analogy- he was like a midfield general in control of the game. His passing was accurate and his set ups were fantastic.

Against Pakistan Kuldeep will be put under pressure. They know he is the trump card and he can pick wickets. They also know they will need to attack him to throw him off gear. Kuldeep in turn will know the Pakistanis will come hard. It will be a cat and mouse game and a solid effort will complete the comeback of Kuldeep Yadav.