Three years ago today, Kuldeep Yadav produced one of the most remarkable spells for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 49th league match of the 2018 Indian Premier League against Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens.
Video hosted on BCCI/www.iplt20.com website:
Opting to bowl first on the sluggish wicket at the iconic stadium, the home team were under pressure after an onslaught from Rahul Tripathi (Yes, he was in the opposition back then!) and Englishman Jos Buttler. At the end of the first four overs, Rajasthan were cruising at 59/0 before Russell put an initial brake on it by dismissing Tripathi for 27 off 15. Things remained quiet till Dinesh Karthik introduced Kuldeep into the attack in the eighth over. Straightaway, the chinaman begun to spin a web around the opposition. He opened his account with a ripper past Ajinkya Rahane - a wrong one that crashed on to middle and leg. Kuldeep returned the next over to scalp the vital wicket of Jos Buttler - caught at short third man by Javon Searles after a knock of 39 - with a quicker delivery. With his variations and accuracy, Kuldeep dented the middle order of the Royals, and he crippled them with astounding figures of 4 for 20 in his four overs.
Video hosted on BCCI/www.iplt20.com website:
His efforts with the ball resulted in the opposition being dismissed for 142 runs with an over to spare. The Boys in Purple and Gold chased down the target comfortably, with skipper Dinesh Karthik guiding the team through with an unbeaten knock of 41 runs.
Video hosted on BCCI/www.iplt20.com website:
That year, Kuldeep has been in fine form against the Royals all through this edition. In the three games we played against the Royals, including the eliminator, Kuldeep was the most economical bowler, conceding less than six runs per over in each game.
