New Delhi: In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm spinner, has once again left cricket enthusiasts awestruck. Yadav’s stellar performance with the ball propelled India into the finals of the Asia Cup 2023. After taking a fifer against the Babar Azam-led side on Monday, Yadav continued his impressive run by securing a four-fer against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, cementing India’s spot in the continental tournament’s summit clash.
Yadav’s lightning-fast 150 ODI wickets milestone
Yadav’s extraordinary bowling achievements reached a historic milestone during the match against Sri Lanka. In his 88th ODI appearance, his incredible four-wicket haul not only left the opposition in disarray but also marked his 150th wicket in ODI cricket. Notably, he achieved this feat faster than any other Indian spinner in history.
The illustrious record for the fastest 150 wickets by an Indian spinner was previously held by Saqlain Mushtaq, who achieved the milestone in 78 matches. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan closely follows as the second fastest in 80 matches, while Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis secured third place in 84 matches.
Furthermore, Kuldeep Yadav also stands as the second fastest Indian overall to accomplish this remarkable milestone. Pacer Mohammed Shami clinched this honor in 80 matches.
Kuldeep Yadav at his best #INDvsSL #INDvSL #RohitSharma𓃵 #ViratKohli#KuldeepYadavpic.twitter.com/6HyZnYAWiI
— Shubham 🇮🇳 (@DankShubhum) September 12, 2023
From secrets behind bowling brilliance to that superb catch & more 👌 👌
In conversation with @imkuldeep18 & @surya_14kumar after #TeamIndia‘s win over Sri Lanka in Super 4s 👍 👍 – By @RajalArora
FULL INTERVIEW 🎥 🔽 #AsiaCup2023 | #INDvSL https://t.co/xlAIq9qIqj pic.twitter.com/sVl7y7L50b
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 13, 2023
Rohit Sharma’s praises Kuldeep’s hard work pays off in stellar performances
Captain Rohit Sharma couldn’t help but laud Kuldeep Yadav for his consistently outstanding performances. Sharma emphasized Yadav’s dedication and hard work in honing his skills, especially focusing on his rhythm. The captain highlighted how Yadav’s meticulous efforts have yielded impressive results over the past ten One-Day Internationals (ODIs).
“For the past year or so, he has been bowling well. He has done a lot of hard work on his rhythm. He went back to the drawing board and worked on it. The ball is coming out nicely, and you can see the results in the last 10 ODIs,” Rohit Sharma shared during the post-match press conference.
Sri Lanka’s ODI streak broken
India’s remarkable victory against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023 put an end to Sri Lanka’s winning streak in the 50-over format, which had begun in June of the same year. This winning streak spanned approximately 13 matches, concluding on a dramatic Tuesday night.
Australia still holds the record for the most consecutive victories in the history of ODI cricket, securing an astounding 23 wins from January 2003 to May 2003.
Looking ahead, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side is set to face Bangladesh in a match that serves as a dead rubber, scheduled for Friday. In contrast, the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan has transformed into a thrilling semifinal battle, as both teams vie for a place in the finals of this prestigious continental tournament.
