Kuldeep Yadav has returned to India with a blast against the UAE after half a year away from international cricket in his Asia Cup 2025 opener.
Those who doubted him ignored him, or questioned his place in the national cricket team in India, as Kuldeep Yadav wreaked havoc on the UAE’s weak batting lineup with ruthless accuracy in Dubai.
The wrist-spinner, who was sidelined during India’s memorable five-match test series in England, has proved why he performs India’s top spinner grandly. Kuldeep exploded through the UAE batting order, taking four wickets for just seven runs in just 13 balls.
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Kuldeep Yadav UAE, but Sanjay Manjrekar indicated that he could be a bench again
Three of those dismissal came in the same over, which shocked the UAE team and fans in Dubai. Shivam Dubey also clung to three wickets, but it was Kuldeep’s magic that set the tone, making India’s nine wicket victory so comfortable in his Asia Cup 2025 opener on Sunday.
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After India hovering for a commanding victory over the United Arab Emirates, former Indian cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar excavated a sly digging in head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Considering Kuldeep’s sensational mantra, Manjrekar slammed Gambhir, pointing to the harsh reality for the wrist spinner. He said with fickleness that Kuldeep can still be released in the next game despite the match -winning performance.
Can’t play next game anymore
It was not only a jab in Gambhir, but was a direct attack on the selection of the unpredictable and baffling team of the Indian head coach. The commentator has stated that Kuldeep’s talent cannot guarantee him a place, as there is bias in the national team.
Sanjay Manjrekar posted, X: “Kuldeep has 3 in one over. Now you can’t play the next game.” ,
Kuldeep has 3 in one over. Can’t play the next game now.
– Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjreker) September 10, 2025
Kuldeep Yadav’s heart before breaking his heart before he died
Even during the performance after the match, Sanjay Manjrekar asked Kuldeep how he lives on extreme performance despite not getting a regular opportunity in the XI. He highlighted the challenges of being motivated during the period of incompatibility and exclusion in selection.
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The way Kuldeep started responding, the microphone malfunction, his words cut the middle-vak. Only the brief and hearty entry of the Indian spinner was heard: “It was difficult for me.” These words reflected frustration, determination and hunger promoting Kuldeep’s return.
Kuldeep Yadav’s T20I number
In particular, Kuldeep Yadav has been one of India’s top T20 artists in recent years. The wrist spinner has proved to be a match-winner, with 69 wickets in 40 T20I matches in an impressive average of 14.07 and two five-wicket haws. He played an important role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 win, taking 10 wickets in 5 matches with an economy under 7.
Despite such remarkable demonstrations, the Indian spinner surprisingly exited the T20I series against England earlier this year, and even on a recent Test tour, he did not find a single game in Shubman Gill’s captaincy first series.
His exclusion has questioned fans and experts as to why such a game-changer was not supported when Gautam Gambhir did not matter the most.
