Kuldeep Yadav
| Kuldeep Yadav | |
|---|---|
| |
| Full name | Kuldeep Yadav |
| Born | 14 December 1994 Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting style | Left-handed |
| Bowling style | Left-arm wrist spin (Chinaman) |
| Teams | India, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi Capitals |
| Father | Ram Singh Yadav |
| Jersey number | 23 |
Kuldeep Yadav (born 14 December 1994) is an Indian international cricketer known for his rare left-arm wrist spin bowling, commonly referred to as the "chinaman" style. He represents the Indian national cricket team in international cricket and plays for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket and Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Kuldeep is widely recognized for his ability to deceive batsmen with flight, spin, and variations, making him one of the most distinctive spin bowlers in modern cricket.
Early Life
Kuldeep Yadav was born in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, and was raised in Kanpur. His father, Ram Singh Yadav, owned a brick kiln and strongly supported his son's interest in cricket.[1]
Initially, Kuldeep aspired to become a fast bowler and idolized Pakistani fast bowling legend Wasim Akram. However, his coach Kapil Pandey noticed his natural wrist flexibility and encouraged him to switch to left-arm wrist spin.[2]
He trained at the Lalit Kala Academy ground in Kanpur and spent several years mastering the difficult art of wrist spin.
Kuldeep studied at Karam Devi Memorial Academy World School in Kanpur and later continued his academic studies at Chandigarh University’s Uttar Pradesh campus.[3]
Domestic Career
Kuldeep began his domestic career representing Uttar Pradesh. He made his first-class debut during the 2014–15 Ranji Trophy season.[4]
In just his second match, he impressed selectors with a five-wicket haul and also scored a century against Delhi, an unusual achievement for a specialist bowler.
He also represented Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.[5]
His performances in domestic cricket soon earned him national recognition.
Under-19 Career
Kuldeep gained significant attention during the 2014 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup when he took a hat-trick for India.
This performance helped establish him as one of India's most promising young spin bowlers.
International Career
Kuldeep Yadav made his Test debut for India against Australia on 25 March 2017 in Dharamshala. He took four wickets in the first innings, making an immediate impact.
He became the first left-arm wrist spinner to represent India in Test cricket.
Kuldeep made his ODI debut on 23 June 2017 against the West Indies and his T20 International debut on 9 July 2017.
In September 2017, he achieved his first major milestone by taking a hat-trick in an ODI against Australia.
In 2018, Kuldeep recorded the best bowling figures by a left-arm spinner in ODIs with 6/25 against England.
He later became the first Indian bowler to take two hat-tricks in One Day Internationals.
Kuldeep has played a crucial role in several international tournaments, including the 2018 Asia Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup, where he was named the player of the tournament.
He was also a member of India's squad that won the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Indian Premier League
Kuldeep Yadav was part of the Mumbai Indians squad in 2012 before gaining prominence with Kolkata Knight Riders.
He represented KKR for several seasons and later joined Delhi Capitals in the 2022 IPL auction.
With Delhi Capitals, Kuldeep rediscovered his form and became one of the leading wicket-takers for the team.
Playing Style
Kuldeep Yadav is a specialist left-arm wrist spinner who relies on flight, spin, and deception.
His main strengths include:
- Googly
- Flipper
- Sharp turn off the pitch
- Ability to deceive batsmen in the air
His unique bowling style makes him a rare and valuable asset in international cricket.
Records and Achievements
Kuldeep Yadav has achieved several milestones in international cricket, including:
- First left-arm wrist spinner to represent India in Test cricket
- One of the few Indian bowlers to take two ODI hat-tricks
- Best ODI bowling figures by a left-arm spinner (6/25 vs England)
- Among the fastest Indian spinners to reach 100 ODI wickets
He has also played key roles in India’s victories in international tournaments.
Fun Facts
Some interesting facts about Kuldeep Yadav include:
- Initially wanted to become a fast bowler before switching to spin
- Idolized Wasim Akram and later studied Shane Warne’s bowling techniques
- Formed a famous spin partnership with Yuzvendra Chahal, popularly known as "KulCha"
- Is a football fan and supports Spanish club FC Barcelona
Personal Life
Kuldeep Yadav announced his engagement to his childhood friend Vanshika on 4 June 2025.
Outside cricket, he enjoys travelling and watching football.
Net Worth
Kuldeep Yadav’s estimated net worth is believed to be between ₹30 crore and ₹40 crore. His earnings come from cricket contracts, IPL salary, and brand endorsements.
Physical Appearance
- Height: 168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
- Eye colour: Dark Brown
- Hair colour: Black
References
- ↑ https://www.cricketnmore.com/player-profiles/559235/kuldeep-yadav
- ↑ https://www.kreedon.com/kuldeep-yadav-net-worth-ipl-salary-and-future-prospects
- ↑ https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/kuldeep-yadav-559235
- ↑ https://www.kreedon.com/kuldeep-yadav-biography
- ↑ https://www.mynation.com/biography/kuldeep-yadav-biography-iwh-s3e14x