UP CM Yogi Adityanath felicitates Kuldeep Yadav after T20 World Cup 2024 heroics

Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav played a big role in India's triumph in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Team India beat South Africa by 7 runs in the final to clinch the T20 World Cup for the second time.

The trophy ended India's long wait for the T20 World Cup as well as an ICC trophy. India had not won the T20 World Cup since 2007 while their last victory in an ICC competition had come way back in 2013. The Rohit Sharma-led side came up with a dominating display in the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup to make India T20 world champions.

Kuldeep Yadav did not get to play a single game in the group stage. With conditions in the USA more favorable for pacers, India preferred three pacers in the team. However, once the USA leg of the tournament ended and India went to West Indies for the Super 8s, Kuldeep Yadav was recalled into the playing eleven straightaway.

He hit the ground running in the competition and finished the competition as India's fourth-highest wicket-taker. In 5 games, he picked up an impressive 10 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of less than 7.

And as the star spinner returned to Uttar Pradesh after the World Cup triumph, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made sure to felicitate him for his heroics. The India spinner met the UP CM at his official residence. Later, Kuldeep shared the post from Yogi Adityanath's official Instagram account on his story and wrote: "It was really nice meeting you, sir. Thank you very much. Jai Hind."

I love to play for India: Kuldeep Yadav:

Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav along with the Indian team had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi. Soon after landing in the country, the victorious team had met the PM before leaving the national capital for Mumbai to take part in a victory parade.

During the meeting with the PM, Kuldeep Yadav had opened up on his love for representing Team India in the game. He also talked about his role in the team before expressing his delight over winning his first World Cup as a player.

"I love to play for India, it’s an honour to represent the country at the highest level. I’ve been given the role of an attacking spinner in the team. I’ve been entrusted with the task of picking wickets in the middle overs by the captain and the coach. I’ve played three World cup tournaments so far and elated to lift it for the first time," Kuldeep Yadav had said.

The spinner is likely to be seen in action next later this month when Team India visit Sri Lanka. India are scheduled to play 3 T20Is and as many ODIs against the Islanders from July 27 to August 7.