How Dharamsala Test debutant Kuldeep Yadav has turned Indian cricket team’s luck

Kuldeep Yadav, the 22-year-old left-arm chinaman bowler from Uttar Pradesh, was handed a Test debut for the fourth and final India vs Australia Test in Dharamsala. He finished with figures of 4/68 as Australia were all out for 300.

Kuldeep Yadav created history for India before he bowled a single ball in the Dharamsala Test against Australia. Not only was the 22-year-old the 288th player Test player for India, but he also became the first left-arm chinaman to play for India. (India vs Australia: 4th Test - DAY 1 BLOG)

Kuldeep Yadav being congratulated by Virat Kohli after getting his Test cap ahead of the fourth India vs Australia Test in Dharamsala. (BCCI)

The start of his Test career was brilliant as he dismissed David Warner to get his first wicket. And the young man turned emotional after that. However, he did not let it affect him as he dismissed Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell to rock Australia. He ultimately finished with figures of 4/68 as Australia were all out for 300.

The 22-year-old Kuldeep yadav has taken some big strides in cricket and his first major moment was the 2014 U-19 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Kuldeep Yadav impressed everybody with his flight, control and variations as he ended the tournament by becoming India’s highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets at an average of 16.42.

The high point for the youngster was during the game against Scotland as he picked up a hat-trick and finished with figures of 4/10. Kuldeep Yadav became the first bowler in U-19 cricket history to have taken a hat-trick.

After the match, he had stated, “As Kuldeep, mere ko wicket nikaalna hai. There was pressure because everyone was expecting a lot out of me.”

Following his exploits in the 2014 U-19 World Cup, the 22-year-old Kuldeep Yadav was included in the Uttar Pradesh squad. In his maiden season, he picked up 16 wickets but in the 2016/17 season first-class season, he ended up with 52 wickets. In eight matches for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy in 2016/17, he was Uttar Pradesh’s leading wicket-taker with 35 wickets from eight games.

Kuldeep Yadav’s good domestic form has seen him being picked in the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. With his debut in Dharamsala, a lot will be expected from Kuldeep.