‘He served water for 50 days’ — Mohammad Kaif’s big praise for Kuldeep Yadav after India star shines in Asia Cup 2025

Saurav Goyal

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‘He served water for 50 days’ — Mohammad Kaif’s big praise for Kuldeep Yadav after India star shines in Asia Cup 2025 image

Kuldeep Yadav has become one of India’s most important bowlers in the Asia Cup 2025.

From waiting on the sidelines in England to now winning matches in the UAE, his journey has caught the attention of many.

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Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif was full of praise for the spinner, calling him a true match-winner who grabbed his chance after months of frustration.

Why did Mohammad Kaif call Kuldeep Yadav India’s “trump card”?

Kaif reminded fans how Kuldeep had to spend weeks carrying drinks during the England Test series, not getting a single game. But when he finally got a chance in the Asia Cup, he made it count.

Against Bangladesh, with India only putting 168 runs on the board, Kuldeep turned the game on its head. His figures of 3/18 broke the back of Bangladesh’s batting in the middle overs.

"He served water for 40-50 days, but as soon as he got the opportunity, he has the ability in his bowling. See, in the last match, 169 is not a big target, but as soon as he came in the middle overs, he took three wickets and changed the match; at one time, he was on a hat-trick," said Kaif.

According to Kaif, Kuldeep is fearless, mixing his leg-spin and googlies smartly. He said this kind of bowling gives India the edge when pressure is high.

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Calling him the “trump card,” Kaif highlighted how the left-armer has been India’s go-to man whenever they need breakthroughs.

"The way Kuldeep Yadav has made his comeback post-2020- 21 has been praiseworthy. He should get the accolades. We talked about variation, fearlessness, leg spin, and googly. He is the trump card in the middle overs. It’s because he didn’t get a chance to play a single Test during the England series," he added.

How has Kuldeep Yadav performed in Asia Cup 2025 so far?

The numbers tell the story. Kuldeep has already picked up 12 wickets in five games at an economy rate close to six, making him one of the most effective bowlers of the tournament.

With this form, Kuldeep has cemented his place in India’s T20 side. He has also kept his spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies, showing how highly the selectors rate him across formats. 

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Saurav Goyal

Saurav Goyal is a Content Producer at the Sporting News with over two years of experience in covering cricket. An avid cricket fan for more than two decades, his passion for the game led him to writing. Since then, he’s been delivering the latest news and engaging content to keep cricket fans informed and entertained.