Kuldeep Yadav signs for Yorkshire for One-Day Cup and County Championship games
Leeds, July 22
Premier Indian left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has signed with English county side Yorkshire as an overseas player for the ongoing domestic season, the club announced on Wednesday.
As per the deal, Kuldeep will feature in five One-Day Cup fixtures before returning to Headingley to play three of Yorkshire's final four County Championship matches in September. His stint begins from Friday's 50-over match against Glamorgan at Neath.
Kuldeep was recently a part of India's 2-1 ODI series defeat in England, where he didn't get to play a single game, a decision which left many baffled. "I'm really pleased to be joining Yorkshire and grateful for this opportunity. It will be a real privilege to represent a club with Yorkshire's proud history.
"I've always enjoyed the challenge of playing in English conditions, and after speaking with the management, I became really excited to join up with the team and I'm looking forward to making a positive contribution during my time at Headingley," said Kuldeep in the club's statement.
He has taken 79 wickets in 18 Tests at an impressive average of 22, including a stellar 19-wicket haul against England in the five-match home Test series in 2024. In ODIs, he has picked up 194 wickets with best figures of 6-25.
Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire's general manager of cricket, noted that Kuldeep's inclusion will bolster their bowling attack during the crucial final phase of the season. "Kuldeep is an accomplished, international-quality player who will add incredible strength to our lineup for these blocks of fixtures.
"Given the dry summer we've experienced, we expect spin to play an important role during the closing stages of the season. Kuldeep gives us another dimension with his left-arm wrist spin and brings a wealth of experience at the highest level. We're delighted to welcome him to Yorkshire," he added.
Apart from Kuldeep, Yuzvendra Chahal (Northamptonshire), Jaydev Unadkat (Sussex), Manav Suthar (Warwickshire), R. Sai Kishore (Gloucestershire) and Ashutosh Sharma (Hampshire) are the other Indian players with county deals in various stages of the ongoing season.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great move for Kuldeep! County cricket experience is invaluable for Indian spinners. Look at how it helped Ashwin and Jadeja. But seriously, what was the team management thinking not playing him in the England ODIs? 😐 He would've been a match-winner on those pitches.
Kuldeep Yadav is a gem of a bowler. 19 wickets in the Test series against England in 2024... that's legendary stuff. Yorkshire is lucky to have him. But I hope the BCCI monitors his workload - we need him fresh for the 2025-26 season. Also, nice to see so many Indians playing county cricket this year!
Good for Kuldeep to get game time, but I'm a bit concerned about the timing. He should be resting and preparing for the home season instead of playing county cricket. Still, it's his decision and I respect it. Hope he shines at Headingley! 🏏✨
Brilliant signing by Yorkshire! Kuldeep's variety will be deadly on those English pitches with some turn. And honestly, he deserved better from the Indian team management - not playing a single game in the ODI series was a joke. At least he'll get to show his class in county cricket. 🇮🇳👌
This is fantastic exposure for Kuldeep. County cricket has historically helped Indian players adapt to English conditions. Remember how it transformed Rahul Dravid? Hopefully this stint helps him cement his place in India's Test and ODI squads. Also, nice to see Yorkshire valuing spin in the modern era! 🌟
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