The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg became Kuldeep Yadav’s playground on his birthday as his exceptional bowling performance propelled India to a dominant 106-run win in the series-deciding 3rd T20I against South Africa. Chasing a formidable 201 set by India, the Proteas were never in the hunt, crumbling under the relentless spin of Yadav, who ripped through their batting lineup with a career-best five-wicket haul.
Kuldeep Yadav, arriving late in the attack, wasted no time in making his mark. His first victim, Donovan Ferreira, was utterly bamboozled by a low, turning delivery that sent him packing for a mere 12. This early wicket sent shockwaves through the South African middle order, who found themselves teetering at 75/5.
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The Chinaman maestro was on a rampage. His next delivery, a skidding ball with deceptive bounce, deceived David Miller, who failed to connect and watched his stumps cartwheeling. Miller’s dismissal triggered a domino effect, with wickets tumbling in quick succession. Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, and Andile Phehlukwayo fell in rapid succession as Yadav’s relentless spin wove a web of destruction around the Proteas.
— Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) December 14, 2023
Kuldeep Yadav’s magic spell reached its crescendo in the 17th over. He dismissed Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi in consecutive deliveries, completing a sensational four-wicket haul in just seven balls. This feat etched his name into the record books, making him the first Indian spinner to achieve a five-wicket haul twice in T20I history.
Fueled by the adrenaline of his historic feat and the birthday celebrations in the air, Kuldeep Yadav returned for his final over and delivered the coup de grâce. He deceived Lizaad Williams with a beautiful googly, sending him packing and securing his career-best figures of 5/17.
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Yadav’s birthday blitz was the cherry on top of a magnificent batting performance by India. Suryakumar Yadav’s century and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s half-century had powered India to a commanding 201, setting the stage for the bowlers to work their magic.
With this emphatic victory, India not only leveled the series 1-1 but also preserved their unbeaten record against South Africa in T20Is since 2015. Kuldeep Yadav’s birthday wish for a win couldn’t have been granted in a more spectacular fashion, proving once again that he’s a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
