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Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showered praise on Kuldeep Yadav for his match-winning performance against Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Kuldeep’s three-wicket haul helped India restrict Pakistan to 241 runs, which the Men in Blue comfortably chased down with six wickets in hand.
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Ashwin Lauds Kuldeep’s Magical Comeback
This spell marked Kuldeep’s best performance since returning from hernia surgery last year, after which his form had been inconsistent. In his previous three ODIs, he managed figures of 1/53, 1/38, and 0/43, raising questions about his place in the squad, especially with Varun Chakaravarthy emerging as a strong contender.
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, defended Kuldeep, reminding critics that players need time to regain rhythm after an injury.
“People should understand that a spinner is making a comeback after an injury. Sometimes in our country, we don’t give enough time to bowlers. If a batsman fails after an injury, people say, ‘He has just come back, give him time.’ If the same happens to Virat Kohli, they say, ‘The king will be back.’ Kuldeep Yadav is also like that. He has some miracle in his hands. He showed the world today,” Ashwin said.
“Life of a Spinner Changes in Two Minutes”
Ashwin highlighted how quickly things can turn for a spinner and pointed out a key moment in the match where Kuldeep deceived Salman Ali Agha with a beautifully flighted googly.
“Kuldeep bowled a beautiful googly, like a top-spin, and Salman got beaten in the flight. It’s not easy to beat a batsman like Salman in the air. And the very next ball, he trapped Shaheen Afridi LBW. What an amazing spell he bowled!” Ashwin added.
Also Check: Kuldeep Yadav Joins Ravichandran Ashwin In Elite List And Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s Record
Kuldeep Overcomes Tough Dubai Conditions
Ashwin further elaborated on the challenges Kuldeep faced, both in terms of his sports hernia recovery and the ‘dead’ wickets in Dubai.
“People need to understand what Kuldeep’s injury was. A sports hernia affects the area below the hip, which is crucial for a spinner’s hip drive. He is still recovering, so it will take time for him to regain full form,” Ashwin explained.
He also pointed out the difficulty of bowling spin on Dubai’s slow wickets:
“No matter how many revolutions you put on the ball, the wicket here is dead. The ball tends to stop, and due to the rotations, it can skid quickly. If the surface is not helping, the cut grass makes it even harder. Despite these conditions, Kuldeep bowled brilliantly,” he concluded.
India & New Zealand Secure Semi-Final Spots
With New Zealand defeating Bangladesh on Monday, both India and New Zealand have officially qualified for the semi-finals from Group A. India will now focus on their final group-stage encounter against New Zealand to determine the table-toppers.
As for Kuldeep, his performance against Pakistan could be the turning point he needed to reaffirm his place as India’s premier white-ball spinner.
