From the benches to brilliance, Kuldeep's rhythm is now India's deadliest middle-over weapon

There are two ways to respond to being dropped: sulk in silence or sharpen your tools. Kuldeep Yadav chose the latter, and the results are precise across the Asia Cup 2025 scorecards.

7 wickets in just 2 matches as of the article's date, a mesmerising economy rate, and the return of that deadly wrist-spin rhythm - the left-armer has turned time on the sidelines into an unexpected springboard for greatness.

Rhythm rediscovered

For a bowler like Kuldeep, rhythm is not a luxury; it is essential for survival. His skill lies in the subtle drift, the teasing loop, and the deception in flight. But rhythm only develops through overs bowled in the heat of competition. During India's tour of England earlier this year, he had to watch from the dressing room as the team prioritised batting depth over wrist-spin.

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Those weeks could have been wasted in frustration. Instead, Kuldeep turned them into a workshop. Fitness, repetition, minor adjustments to his run-up and release — all became part of his solitary grind. The Duleep Trophy in August, though wicketless for him, provided 32 overs of valuable match practice. That was the spark. By the time the Asia Cup arrived, the gears had clicked into place.

The numbers tell the tale

Against the UAE and then PAK in Dubai, Kuldeep has performed as if reborn. 7 wickets from 37 balls, including a match-winning 3 for 18 against PAK, demonstrate not just penetration but also control. Through the power of his wrist and the precision of his angles, batters found themselves uncertain and hesitant. His average in the tournament so far is just 6.57 runs per wicket, and he has conceded fewer than a run a ball.

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For comparison, his Asia Cup 2018 campaign yielded six wickets in five games. This time, he has surpassed that in just two outings.

Chemistry in the spin trio

Kuldeep's resurgence has dovetailed with India's rich spin arsenal. Alongside Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy, he forms a three-pronged unit with complementary skills. Axar thrives in the powerplay, stifling batters with precise accuracy. Varun, with his mystery variations, adds unpredictability. Kuldeep, meanwhile, is India's middle-over executor — the man responsible for breaking partnerships and shifting the game in India's favour.

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That collective understanding was evident in Dubai against PAK. Once Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya had inflicted early damage, it was Kuldeep and Axar who shut the door effectively. Between overs 7 and 15, PAK managed just 31 runs while losing four wickets. It was strangulation masked as artistry.

Lessons from the bench

Ironically, it was his absence from the playing XI that gave Kuldeep perspective. Watching games from outside allowed him to interpret situations differently — studying how batters responded, where bowlers lost their discipline, and when pressure truly mounted. That tactical sharpness is now integrated into his bowling decisions.

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Similarly, he found equilibrium off the field. Football became a release but also a classroom. Observing the communication and chemistry of great club sides, he drew parallels to cricket — the trust between teammates, the importance of each role, and the urgency of decision-making.

Peaking at the right time

As India chases another Asia Cup crown and refines their strategies for the T20 World Cup 2026, Kuldeep's exciting rise couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Once seen as a bit delicate for continuous T20 challenges, he now stands as the vital force in India's middle overs. Every ball he bowls feels like it's infused with not only spin but also the valuable lessons he's quietly absorbed along the way.