Team India star Kuldeep Yadav was named ‘Player of the Round’ in the County Championship 2026 Round 13. The wrist-spinner had signed a multi-format deal with Yorkshire, which includes three County Championship matches.
He did not bowl in the first match against Surrey but wreaked havoc in his second game against Essex. The Team India star picked up his maiden first-class ten-wicket match haul, returning figures of 10/120. Following the stellar performance, he was named ‘Player of the Round’.
In the first innings, he picked up four wickets, returning figures of 4/70. He followed it up with six wickets in the second innings, returning figures of 6/50. Yorkshire batted first and scored 390 runs. They bowled Essex out for 171 in the first innings, enforced the follow-on, and bundled them out for just 113 in the second innings to register a commanding innings and 106-run victory.
Kuldeep Yadav was also named ‘Player of the Match’. They are fifth on the Division One table with four wins, four losses, as many draws, and 142 points from 12 games. Their next clash is against Somerset at Leeds, which begins on Tuesday, September 15.
Team India star’s massive statement on returning to the County Championship
Team India star Kuldeep Yadav opened up on his ten-wicket match haul against Essex. He expressed that playing in these conditions, away from home, and performing well made it even more special.
“When I was about to get the sixth one, I thought, ‘Give me one more, let me complete the ten-wicket haul. It’s not the home conditions that I grew up playing in but this is the ultimate home now, so playing here and getting a ten-for, it’s been so good,” he said. (via ecb.co.uk)
He also made a major announcement, stating that this would not be his only stint with Yorkshire, promising to return for more. Kuldeep also praised his teammates and appreciated the talent within the squad.
“It’s nice to be here, everyone is so kind and very humble and they’ve been very welcoming. If you look at our team, we’ve got lovely lads, lovely young talent in the squad, so to play alongside them feels so good. I’ll definitely come back, that’s a promise.”
The wrist-spinner has 199 wickets from 53 first-class matches at an average of 29.18, with 10/120 being his career-best figures so far.
Edited by Rishab Vm
