IPL Stats: 3 best spells by Kuldeep Yadav in IPL history

Kuldeep Yadav is one of the best wrist spinners in limited-overs cricket in the world right now. He is currently the World No.2 bowler in T20I rankings, only behind the Afghanistan sensation Rashid Khan.

Kuldeep was exceptional for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2018 with 17 wickets at an economy rate of 8.14. In 31 IPL games, the 24-year-old has picked up 35 wickets. He has improved a lot in the past couple of years and consistently picked up wickets in domestic and international cricket.

He has produced some brilliant spells in the Indian Premier League in his short but impressive career. He tormented batsmen with his variations and was hugely successful for KKR last season.

Here in this article, we take a look at the 3 best spells by Kuldeep Yadav in IPL history.

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#3) 3-35 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2016

Kuldeep Yadav was impressive in his debut campaign with six wickets from just three games

In a knockout game against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2016 at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Kuldeep Yadav produced one of the best spells of his IPL career. Though Knight Riders lost the game, Yadav was instrumental in restricting a star-studded Sunrisers batting line-up for 162.

He started with the wicket of David Warner as he bowled him for 28. Mind you, it was the David Warner who amassed 842 runs that season. He then dismissed a well-set Moises Henriques for 31. The Australian was caught and bowled by the 24-year-old. He came back late in the innings to dismiss Ben Cutting for a golden duck as Uthappa completed a good stumping.

Kuldeep Yadav finished with three for 35 in the match but could not prevent his side from losing the game. He played only three games in IPL 2016, but picked up an impressive six wickets. And that, was just the beginning.

#2) 3-32 vs Delhi, IPL 2018

Kuldeep picked up the wickets of Pant, Maxwell, and Boult

In a game against the now-defunct Delhi Daredevils, at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Kuldeep Yadav waved his magic to win the game for his team. Batting first, Kolkata Knight Riders scored 200 runs in 20 overs, courtesy of a brilliant 50 from Nitish Rana and a stunning cameo by Andre Russell.

In reply, Glenn Maxwell and Rishabh Pant steered Delhi's chase and were destroying Kolkata's bowling attack. Then entered Yadav, who outfoxed both the batters with his consistency and variations.

He dismissed Rishabh Pant first and then accounted for Maxwell. Pant was caught by Chawla, while Maxwell was taken by Uthappa behind the stumps. He then took the wicket of Trent Boult to end Delhi's innings for 129 in 14.2 overs. He finished with 3 for 32 in just 3.2 overs.

#1) 4-20 vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2018

Kuldeep Yadav was phenomenal against Rajasthan Royals with four wickets

A Man of the Match performance by Kuldeep Yadav enabled Kolkata Knight RIders to beat Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Royals were off to a brilliant start as Tripathi and Buttler got them off to a flyer.

It all changed when the 24-year-old came on to bowl after the power play. He dismissed Royals' captain, Ajinkya Rahane, for 11 runs and then sent back the dangerous Jos Buttler as well. He then bamboozled Stuart Binny as Royals were reduced for 96/5.

He was not finished on the night and picked up the important wicket of Ben Stokes for 11. Royals were bundled out for 142 and KKR chased that in 18 overs. Kuldeep finished with figures of 4 for 20 in his four overs, which deservedly earned him the Player of the Match award.

He restricted the flow of runs when the openers were running riot, claimed the wickets of both of them, put Rajasthan under enormous pressure, and then came on to knock the castle of a match winner in Ben Stokes too.

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