Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball, picking a five-wicket haul as India bowled out Australia for 300 in the first innings of the ongoing fourth Test in Sydney. The left-arm spinner finished with figures of 5/99 in 31.5 overs. The chinaman spinner picked the last two Australian wickets, trapping both Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood in front to put India in command. As a result, India, who had scored a mammoth 622 for 7, enforced a follow-on on the hosts.
It was Kuldeep’s second five-wicket haul in Test cricket and first on Australian soil. In doing so, he also became the first Indian spinner to take a five-wicket haul across formats outside India. Last year, he had picked up five-wicket hauls in T20I and ODI during the tour of England.
Meanwhile, accolades flew in from all corners for Kuldeep following his impressive display and legendary spinner Shane Warne also praised the chinaman spinner.
Taking to Twitter, Warne wrote: “Well bowled & congrats on your 5 wicket haul @imkuldeep18 also, thankyou for your very kind words – it’s been a pleasure to work with you & watch you bowl my friend ! ?”
Well bowled & congrats on your 5 wicket haul @imkuldeep18 also, thankyou for your very kind words – it’s been a pleasure to work with you & watch you bowl my friend ! 👍 pic.twitter.com/35vNtL8qp5
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 6, 2019
Earlier in the series, the former Australia spinner was spotted giving advice to Kuldeep during the first Test at the Adelaide Oval. The footage was aired when Kuldeep was posing plenty of questions to the hosts. In the past too, Kuldeep has been often seen approaching Warne for some wisdom. And it seems Kuldeep has learned a lot from the King of spin.
On day four, he had completely outfoxed Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine with a couple of stunning deliveries.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep was quick to reply to Warne, thanking him for his suggestions. He also hilariously pointed out how Warne’s advise helped him get the better of his compatriots as he wrote:
“Means the most coming from you boss! ? Learning from you has made my job easier ? Looking forward to all the advise and guidance in the days to come! ?”
Means the most coming from you boss! 🙏
Learning from you has made my job easier 😂
Looking forward to all the advise and guidance in the days to come! 💪— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) January 6, 2019
Australia, meanwhile, ended day four on 6 for no loss.
