Team India spinner Kuldeep Yadav was in sublime form against South Africa in the third and final match of the ODI series on Tuesday, October 11. Playing in the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, his four-wicket haul helped the Indian side bundle out South Africa for a mere score of 99 runs in the series decider.
Alongside Kuldeep Yadav, India spinners Shahbaz Ahmed and Washington Sundar also picked two wickets each to restrict South Africa to a below-par total as well. Earlier in the innings, Mohammed Siraj continued his good form and forced South Africa into submission with his seam movement and bouncers as well.
Kuldeep was in line to claim his third hattrick in white ball cricket, dismissing Bjorn Fortuin and Anrich Nortje in back-to-back deliveries but Lungi Ngidi saved South Africa’s day. He eventually returned with figures of 4/18 in 4.1 overs.
Fans showered praise on Kuldeep Yadav on social media with many stating that this match will mark the return of the left-arm leg spinner.
Here is how Twitterati reacted:
He came. He saw. He wrapped up. 😉
Kuldeep Yadav ➡️ 4/18 💥
📸: BCCI | @imkuldeep18 #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/fNkzKfwz1u
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 11, 2022
What a spell by Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav – 4/18 (4.1 overs)#kuldeepyadav #INDvsSA #kuldeep pic.twitter.com/oLWwtWjDEu— Rahul Sisodia (@Sisodia19Rahul) October 11, 2022
A Kuldeep Yadav show in his home IPL ground, 4 wickets for just 18 runs from 4.1 overs – A great return to Kuldeep. pic.twitter.com/WlxfZZwcc6
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 11, 2022
What a spell by Kuldeep Yadav – 4/18
What a comeback year ❤
Good to KD back now!!#kuldeepyadav | #INDvsSA | pic.twitter.com/LbN0k0goqB— ☆ (@Rii45___) October 11, 2022
Kuldeep Yadav is backkkkkk🔥#INDvsSA #kuldeepyadav pic.twitter.com/6lq1Gt6HK7
— The Cricket Followers (@cricfollowers_1) October 11, 2022
Well bowled Kuldeep Yadav #kuldeepyadav pic.twitter.com/dV5azYh2Ww
— Sudhanshu Ranjan Singh (@memegineers_) October 11, 2022
👏🇮🇳 SPIN MAGICIAN! The South African batters had no answers to Kuldeep's spin.
🙌 He ends up with his personal best bowling figures against South Africa in ODIs!
📸 Getty • #KuldeepYadav #INDvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #TeamIndia #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/MZyNVZSy5M
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) October 11, 2022
Top Class 🔥🔥#KuldeepYadav #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/ODdkmUKrAJ
— Kaushik (@Trollingthopulu) October 11, 2022
Accuracy Level: Kuldeep Yadav! 🎯#BelieveInBlue #INDvSA #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/cC9c9FDsMP
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 6, 2022
However, South Africa was 99-all-out which put them in major trouble in the ICC ODI Super League table, as it made them uncertain about their direct qualification in the 2023 ODI World Cup as well.
Meanwhile, the team is currently in the 11th position in the table and they could have moved to 9th if they would have won the final match of the series as well.
“I was trying something different before IPL” – Kuldeep Yadav
An elated Kuldeep said that he has been having a great time since the Indian Premier League 2022 as well and has been enjoying the game. Speaking at the mid-innings break, Kuldeep Yadav said:
“Feeling happy to take four wickets, have taken four wickets after such a long time. I was trying something different before IPL, and I am enjoying my bowling since then. I missed the hat-trick, and could have bowled quicker. Should have changed the angle.”
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.