Kuldeep Yadav enjoyed a dream debut in Dharamsala on Saturday, taking four wickets on Day 1 of the fourth Test against Australia.
The left-arm wrist spinner replaced the injured Virat Kohli, becoming India’s 288th Test player. Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane threw the ball to him right before lunch, but his real impact came in the second session.
An emotional moment for @imkuldeep18 as he gets his first Test wicket #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/jeizXiR8OW
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 25, 2017
Kuldeep’s first international wicket David Warner – who was looking dangerous after scoring a fifty – was caught at slip by Rahane on 54. He followed it with a spectacular ball to rattle Peter Handscomb’s stumps. But perhaps the most thrilling wicket was that of Glenn Maxwell, who was bowled by a wonderful delivery. In the last session of the day, he broke the partnership between Pat Cummins and Matthew Wade, dismissing Cummins on 21 with a sharp caught and bowled catch.
Kuldeep’s heroics earned him rare praise on Twitter, with even Sachin Tendulkar tweeting about him, and the 22-year-old was trending on top of the social network all over India. Have a look at what the cricket community had to say about Kuldeep Yadav’s debut
I am impressed with @imkuldeep18's variations and the way he has started. Keep going strong, this can be your match to shine.
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 25, 2017
This is a fairy-tale debut for Kuldeep Yadav. Always something extra with the wrist spinner. And he can bat!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 25, 2017
Won't be surprised if Kuldeep Yadav puts in a Man of the Match performance. Great skill and nerves. https://t.co/slwLPk3Mld
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 25, 2017
New mystery guy in the house @imkuldeep18 #Magical. On the other hand brilliant hundred from smith.
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) March 25, 2017
Wonderful beginnings for a debutant.. 2 very good wickets &the way he has bowled.. Way to go.. God bless #KuldeepYadav
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) March 25, 2017
This has been a magnificent spell of bowling from the young man Kuldeep
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 25, 2017
Getting a batsman out is one thing. Making him look silly while you're at it is another. Beauty from Kuldeep to get Maxwell. #IndvAus
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) March 25, 2017
UP has been picking Piyush Chawla over Kuldeep. Chawla hasn't averaged less than 40 in Indian FC cricket since 2010.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) March 25, 2017
A chinaman bowling India into the test match: Kuldeep Yadav brings yet another twist to a great test series.. super stuff. #IndvAus
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 25, 2017
First of many 😊👍 #Kuldeep https://t.co/JUMJfjavDO
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 25, 2017
Australia has trained hard for @imjadeja and @ashwinravi99 but not for Kuldeep yadav. This is why test cricket is so fascinating. #IndvAus
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 25, 2017
Kuldeep Yadav is the 3rd chinaman bowler to take a 4-for in his maiden Test innings. Others: C Fleetwood-Smith & L Sandakan #IndvAus
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 25, 2017
Steve Smith and Dalai Lama. They rubbed noses, shook hands, took pics, but completely forgot to discuss how to handle Chinamen. #IndvAus
— Iyeronical (@LosingMotion) March 25, 2017
