The wrist-spinner returned with the figures of 4/7 in 2.1 overs against the UAE.
Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball in India’s thumping nine-wicket victory over the UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (September 10).
The wrist-spinner returned with the figures of 4/7 in 2.1 overs, helping the defending champions bowl out the hosts for only 57 in 13.1 overs.
In reply, the Men in Blue gunned down a rather small target inside the powerplay (4.3 overs) to kick off their campaign in an emphatic manner.
Following the match, former India cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar rued the cruel fate of Kuldeep.
Manjrekar praised Kuldeep for delivering despite often being dropped after match-winning spells. He also quipped that Kuldeep might be left out of the playing XI again after a stellar performance against UAE.
"Now that Kuldeep Yadav has taken three wickets in one over, he will not play the next game, because that's how India treats him. When he plays well, he gets dropped. He got four wickets, so there's no way he's going to play the next match," said Manjrekar while speaking on Sony Sports.
"I'm kidding, but this is what Kuldeep Yadav's career is all about. In between getting dropped, he does some real magic. When you look at his numbers, be it Tests or ODIs or T20Is, they are incredible. But he is one of the dispensable players in the Indian side, but that's his fate," Manjrekar added.
Despite making his debut in 2017, Kuldeep Yadav has represented India in only 13 Tests and 41 T20Is so far. For much of his career, he has had to compete against the likes of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi for limited spinner slots in the Indian teams across formats.
Yet, Kuldeep has managed to leave a big mark, averaging under 27 in ODIs, only 22.16 in Tests and a sensational 13.39 in T20Is.
It remains to be seen if Kuldeep Yadav gets a chance in India’s next group-stage match against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai.