Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav made his mark in cricket history on Day 3 of the second Test against West Indies with a stunning performance, becoming the quickest left-arm wrist spinner to take five five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.
Kuldeep Smashes 70-Year Record With Fiery Five-Wicket Haul
Kuldeep’s dazzling figures of 5 for 82 helped India bowl out the West Indies for 248 in their first innings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The 30-year-old achieved his fifth five-wicket haul in just 15 Tests, surpassing England’s Johnny Wardle, who had achieved the same milestone in 28 matches way back in the 1950s.
With that, Kuldeep was the fastest ever left-arm wrist spinner to do so and equalled Wardle’s overall haul in almost half the number of matches.
Kuldeep Yadav’s Spin Wizardry on a Flat Deck
On a flat wicket providing minimal assistance to spinners, Kuldeep spun magic using accuracy and variation. His spell tore apart the West Indies middle order with a series of traditional spin bowling misleading batters with drift and change of pace.
The left-arm wrist spinner produced the collapse with the removal of Shai Hope, then sent back Tevin Imlach and Justin Graves in successive fashion. His guile and rhythm kept India firmly in charge during the morning session.
India Tighten Grip as Kuldeep Leads Bowling Masterclass
After some resistance from Anderson Phillip and Khary Pierre, who compiled a 46-run ninth-wicket partnership, India never relinquished the initiative. Jasprit Bumrah got rid of Pierre soon after lunch, before Kuldeep came back to complete the innings in the style that he was capable of.
His googly that had Jayden Seales lbw was an act of sheer artistry clinching his fifth wicket and placing India in a dominant position with a 270-run first-innings lead.
Follow-On Drama: India Eye Series Sweep
With the visitors in disarray and the pitch developing variable bounce, India imposed the follow-on, asking West Indies to bat again on the same day. The attacking strategy of the hosts emphasized their confidence and determination to seal the series with a 2-0 whitewash.
The spin expertise of Kuldeep coupled with the constant speed of Bumrah and Siraj made life difficult for the visitors to endure the last few overs of the day.
From Fringe Spinner to India’s Silent Match-Winner
Kuldeep’s comeback is one of grit and accuracy. Once fighting to find a place in India’s pace-friendly attack, he has become one of India’s go-to red-ball guns. His elegant control, incisive googly, and consistency across all formats have endeared him to the subcontinent.
This record-breaking display not only cements his position as India’s top spinner but also represents a turning point in his red-ball career.
Kuldeep’s Historic Feat by the Numbers
Highest five-wicket hauls by left-arm wrist spinners (Tests):
- 5 – Kuldeep Yadav (15 Tests)
- 5 – Johnny Wardle (28 Tests)
- 4 – Paul Adams (45 Tests)
