In a moment of remarkable achievement, Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav etched his name in the annals of cricket history during the 3rd T20I between IND and WI in Guyana. The 28-year-old maestro swiftly became the fastest Indian bowler to attain 50 wickets in T20 internationals, achieving this feat in just his 30th match. Kuldeep outshone his ‘spot rival’ Yuzvendra Chahal, who took 34 matches to accomplish the same milestone.
Kuldeep’s stellar performance in the match included dismissing Brandon King in his last over, ending with an impressive figure of 3 for 28 in four overs.
Fastest Indian Bowlers to Pick 50 T20I Wickets
- Kuldeep Yadav – 30 Matches
- Yuzvendra Chahal – 34 Matches
- Jasprit Bumrah – 41 Matches
The historic moment arrived as Kuldeep Yadav triumphantly dismissed Brandon King, cementing his status as the fastest Indian bowler to cross the 50 T20I wickets threshold.
4⃣-0⃣-2⃣8⃣-3⃣!
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 8, 2023
That was one impressive bowling performance from Kuldeep Yadav! 👌 👌
West Indies 123/5 with over two overs to go!
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/3rNZuAiOxH #TeamIndia | #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/zbv1Ot9nFO
Kuldeep’s journey to this achievement is all the more remarkable given his struggles in the years following the 2019 World Cup. Enduring a challenging phase in international cricket, he temporarily lost his place across formats, grappling with a loss of rhythm and confidence. Even his IPL stint with Kolkata Knight Riders dwindled, with the spinner participating in only five matches over the past two seasons.
However, Kuldeep’s resurgence has been nothing short of spectacular, particularly highlighted by his standout performances in recent ODI and T20I series. This reinvigoration places Kuldeep Yadav back in contention for a spot in India’s squad for the upcoming World Cup on home soil. He is poised for a spirited competition with the formidable Yuzvendra Chahal, who is also displaying commendable form.
Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Blazes to 100 T20I Sixes, Second Fastest to the Feat after Evin Lewis
The dynamic duo of Kuldeep and Chahal was once an indispensable element of India’s limited-overs cricket. Their roles, however, were eventually assumed by Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. The imminent selection for the World Cup 2023 will determine whether Kuldeep Yadav or Chahal emerges as the chosen one to don the Indian jersey, fueling the anticipation and excitement among cricket enthusiasts worldwide.