Kuldeep Yadav’s rise was once a romantic story of a left-arm wrist spinner reviving a dying art in India’s ODI setup. From tormenting England in 2018 to dominating middle overs at home, Kuldeep symbolized mystery in a format drifting toward muscle. But cricket, especially modern ODI cricket, is rarely sentimental.
The 41-run loss to New Zealand in Indore, India, on January 18, 2019, was not simply another rare series loss by India against a different country. It marked New Zealand’s first-ever ODI series victory in India since 1988, a statistic rich in history. While Kuldeep Yadav’s statistics were less flashy than his opponent’s (3 wickets in 3 games, 60.66), they tell a quiet yet equally concerning story; once Kuldeep was a nightmare to face in terms of matchups, he is now simply lined up, planned for, and punched back.
When Preparation Beat Mystery (IND vs NZ 2026)
Kuldeep entered the New Zealand series as India’s trump card. Fresh off a dominant home showing against South Africa, 9 wickets in 3 matches, expectations were high. New Zealand responded not with fear, but with homework.
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips were unwilling to allow Kuldeep to set the tone of play. Mitchell’s 88 from 64 deliveries (balls) vs Kuldeep was not wild batting; it was targeted disruption. By stepping forward to the ball, by making use of the crease to bat, and by hitting directly in line with the boundary, New Zealand eliminated Kuldeep’s major weapon: hesitation.
Throughout the entire series, Kuldeep had conceded an average of 7.28 runs per over, which is a scary number for a middle-overs spinner. Once a wrist-spinner has lost its mystique, it can only be effective if it can provide control, and it clearly did not do this throughout the series.
Flat Decks, Brutal Exposure (IND vs ENG 2021)
Pune in 2021 was less a cricket pitch and more a batting runway. England arrived with a clear blueprint: attack spin relentlessly before it settles. Kuldeep bore the brunt.
Figures of 0/68 and 0/84 across two matches weren’t anomalies; they were outcomes of England’s aggressive middle-overs philosophy under Eoin Morgan. Sweep, reverse-sweep, loft, nothing was off-limits. Kuldeep wasn’t just wicketless; he was rendered irrelevant.
What made this series particularly forgettable was the lack of adaptability. Once England showed their hand, Kuldeep had no tactical counter. India quietly dropped him for the third ODI, a silent admission that conditions and confidence had turned against him.
Winning Without Impact (IND vs AUS 2020)
Surprisingly, Kuldeep’s third non-impactful series occurred in a series that India actually won. In 2020, against Australia, after suffering a 10-wicket loss, India ultimately regained control to win the series 2–1. Kuldeep was used for every game, but he was largely invisible in the media.
His return: 3 wickets with a 60.66 batting average (identical to his New Zealand statistics years later). Although Australia did not have the same reckless approach as the Kiwis when attacking Kuldeep, instead, they were able to limit his impact by using strike rotation to target India’s seamers rather than taking on Kuldeep.
Key Takeaway
Kuldeep’s struggle isn’t a loss of skill; it’s a loss of surprise.
FAQs
- What made Kuldeep Yadav’s recent ODI series difficult?
Opposition batters prepared specifically to attack or neutralize him, removing his element of surprise.
- Why was the IND vs NZ 2026 series historically significant?
It marked New Zealand’s first bilateral ODI series win in India since 1988.
- How can Kuldeep bounce back in ODIs?
By varying pace, using defensive fields more smartly, and adapting his role based on conditions rather than reputation.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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