![WI vs IND [WATCH]: Kuldeep Yadav’s spellbinding 4-wicket haul leaves West Indies stunned](https://crickettimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kuldeep-Yadav.jpg "WI vs IND [WATCH]: Kuldeep Yadav’s spellbinding 4-wicket haul leaves West Indies stunned")
During a thrilling encounter between West Indies and India in the first One-Day International (ODI) at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday, Kuldeep Yadav delivered an outstanding performance.
The left-arm chinaman bowler was given the nod ahead of Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal for the series opener, and he certainly justified the selection by earning the well-deserved ‘Player of the Match’ award. Kuldeep’s brilliant spell of three overs saw him taking four wickets, leaving the opposition in shock.
During his three-over spell, the 28-year-old was virtually unplayable, delivering two maidens and conceding a mere six runs. He made a significant impact in the 19th, 21st and 23rd overs of the Indian innings, claiming at least one wicket in each of them.
Kuldeep’s exceptional bowling skills were on full display as he sent back Dominic Drakes (3) in his very first over by trapping him in front of the wickets. In his next over, he swiftly removed Yannic Cariah (3) with a leg-before-wicket (LBW) dismissal.
Not stopping there, the Kanpur-born cricketer continued his dominance in the third over, bringing an end to the West Indies innings by removing the hosts’ captain, Shai Hope (43), and Jayden Seales (0). Hope was given out LBW in an attempt to reverse sweep on the third ball of the over, showcasing Kuldeep’s ability to deceive even experienced batters. On the last ball of the over, Seales was caught by Hardik Pandya at leg slip, capping off Kuldeep’s magnificent performance.
Here’s the video:
If you blinked, odds are you missed one of #KuldeepYadav's wickets from his spell of 4/6 in just 3 overs 🤯
Keep watching #WIvIND – LIVE & FREE on #JioCinema in 11 languages ✨#SabJawaabMilenge #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/1BA3jMy5ig
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In the earlier part of the game, India’s decision to field first after winning the toss proved fruitful. Hardik drew the first blood by dismissing Kyle Mayers (2).
Alick Athanaze (22) and Brandan King (17) kept the scoreboard ticking with a 38-run stand for the second wicket, but Kuldeep, along with Ravindra Jadeja, rattled the West Indies batting lineup by picking seven wickets between them. The hosts were bowled out for a modest total of 114 runs.
Chasing 115 for victory, India’s opening pair, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, faced some challenges. Gill’s poor form continued as he depart for 7. Suryakumar Yadav, promoted to number three, had a good start, scoring 19 runs before being dismissed to Gudakesh Motie, while Hardik got run out for 5 runs.
However, Ishan anchored the innings, registering his fourth fifty in ODIs before becoming Motie’s second victim. India found themselves at 97/5, which led to Rohit Sharma coming in to bat. Jadeja and Rohit ensured there were no further slip-ups, taking India over the line with five wickets remaining.
