Kuldeep Yadav’s return to red-ball cricket has taken on added significance in the Kolkata Test, where he claimed the significant wicket of South African captain Temba Bavuma in the first innings. This match is especially memorable for Kuldeep as it marks his maiden Test appearance at Eden Gardens—despite having played 15 Tests in his career, none had come at this iconic venue until now.
Now the question is, why is Temba Bavuma's wicket so important to Kuldeep Yadav?
By dismissing the South African captain, this Indian chinaman spinner has actually achieved a major milestone. With this wicket, he completed his 150 international wickets on Indian soil. In other words, Temba Bavuma was his 150th victim taken on Indian soil.
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Kuldeep Yadav got the wicket of Temba Bavuma, caught by Dhruv Jurel, who was standing at leg slip. South African captain Bavuma returned to the pavilion after scoring just 3 runs off 11 balls. He couldn't read Kuldeep's delivery at all. Jurel also took a brilliant catch.
Kuldeep Yadav is the ninth bowler to take 150 international wickets on Indian soil. He achieved this feat in just 87 innings. Among the eight bowlers who have taken 150 or more wickets on Indian soil before him,
Anil Kumble tops the list with 476 wickets. Next is Ravichandran Ashwin, who has taken 475 wickets in 193 innings. Harbhajan Singh has claimed 380 wickets in 201 innings. Ravindra Jadeja currently has 377 international wickets on Indian soil. Kapil Dev took 319 wickets in 202 innings. Srinath has 211, Zaheer Khan has 201, and Mohammed Shami has 168 wickets.
