Cricket News

“The first 7-10 days were very tough”- Kuldeep Yadav breaks silence on loss in World Cup Final

Kuldeep's next assignment is the upcoming ODI series in South-Africa.

Dec 15, 2023 4:05 pm

India’s journey in the 2023 ODI World Cup culminated not in the elation of a victory lap, but in the agonizing silence of a dream deferred. Having carved a path of invincibility through the league stage, they swaggered into the final against Australia like seasoned gladiators, their confidence a palpable aura. The air crackled with anticipation, the stands a vibrant tapestry of a billion hopes. But the cricketing gods, it seemed, had a different script in mind. Australia defeated India by 6 wickets in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. A dream, so close yet so distant, had crumbled at the final hurdle.

Despite the bitter sting of defeat in the final, Indian fans held their heads high, remembering the team’s incredible journey. Their 10 consecutive victories were a feat etched in history, a testament to the unwavering spirit of every player. Among the unsung heroes was Kuldeep Yadav. While the pace attack grabbed headlines, Kuldeep quietly spun his magic, claiming 15 wickets in 11 games with an impressive economy rate. His contribution, though often overlooked, was a vital cog in India’s dominant run.

“The thought of losing the World Cup Final was haunting me”

Echoes of the World Cup final still lingered for Kuldeep as he spoke after yesterday’s third T20I between India and South Africa. Admitting the first few days were extremely tough, he confessed that the loss kept playing in his mind. “Starting was really difficult. The first 7 to 10 days were really tough. Whenever I woke up, the thought of losing the World Cup final was haunting me. But life changes and moves on,” he said.

Yesterday, Kuldeep turned 29 and he grandly celebrated the occasion, claiming a magnificent five-wicket haul. His devastating returns dismantled South Africa for a mere 95, securing a resounding victory for India. This wasn’t just any five-fer, it was the first ever in T20Is to be achieved on a player’s birthday. It was Kuldeep’s second five-wicket haul in T20 Internationals with the first one coming against England in Manchester back in 2018.

Kuldeep will now shift focus to the ODI format as he is part of India’s squad which will take on the proteas in a 3-match series starting Sunday, December 17.