Kuldeep Yadav, on Thursday, December 14, became only the second Indian bowler to pick up multiple five-wicket hauls in T20Is after Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Most importantly, he became the first Indian spinner to reach the landmark. Both Kuldeep and Bhuvneshwar have two fifers in T20Is. The wrist spinner got to the milestone in the third and final T20I at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Kuldeep also became the 13th bowler to pick up multiple fifers in T20Is after Amir Kaleem (Oman), Ashton Agar (Australia), Imran Tahir (South Africa), Bhuvneshwar (India), Dhruvkumar Maisuria (Botswana), Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka), Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), Tim Southee (New Zealand), Umar Gul (Pakistan), Zaker Taqawi (Sweden).
On Thursday, Kuldeep finished with figures of 2.5-0-17-5 as India beat South Africa by 106 runs to finish the series 1-1. The Men in Blue lost the first game, but made a stupendous comeback in Johannesburg.
Kuldeep got the wickets of David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams as India bowled the Proteas out for 95 in 13.5 overs.
The five-wicket haul was also special for Kuldeep for the reason that it came on his birthday. On December 14, the wrist spinner turned 29 years old.
“Kuldeep is never happy with a three-for or a four-for. A perfect self birthday present,” Suryakumar was quoted as saying on Kuldeep in the post-match presentation ceremony.
In 34 T20Is thus far, Kuldeep has picked up 58 wickets at a stupendous economy rate of 6.68. Kuldeep is now set to take part in the three-match ODI series that starts on Sunday, December 17 in Johannesburg itself.
