As the much-anticipated series between India and Sri Lanka kicked off today, the hosts were off to a blinding start, thanks to a rambunctious partnership between Fernando and Bhanuka.
The duo garnered 49 runs before Yuzvendra Chahal applied a screeching halt by claimed the prized scalp of Fernando.
Despite the loss of Fernando, Sri Lanka managed to pile up a quick explosion of runs that saw Rajapaksa and Bhanuka leading the charge comprehensively.
With the fans not really approving Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in the squad, it was the unorthodox chinaman who brougg India back to the game in a span of just four deliveries, striking the all-imperative brace of set players like Bhanuka and Rajapaksa.
He claimed the important scalp of Rajapaksa as the captain, Shikhar Dhawan pulled off a brilliant catch by running down almost a mile and keeping the ball under control with an extraordinary dive.
The next man to be rattled was another set batsman in the form of Bhanuka as Prithvi Shaw plucked a decent take to end the brief dominance from the wicket-keeper.
With the southpaw being written off even before the fray started, it was a reprieve for his fans and selectors to watch him perform with such distinction.
He chronicled magical figues of 9-1-48-2 which had a significant impact on the innings as he claimed the two important wickets when India seemed clueless about Sri Lanka’s sudden surge of belliegerence.
Twitter was indeed happy to see the youngster come back to form as this will keep his hopes of making the cut for the national team alive.
Kuldeep yadav under dhawan sir’s captaincy pic.twitter.com/c4p7SwlQMB
— santanu (@santanuzn) July 18, 2021
Another one for Kuldeep Yadav, he picks up Minod Bhanuka now. 2 wickets in the single over for Kuldeep.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 18, 2021
Kuldeep Yadav and a Jharkhand WK ? Better Love Story than Twilight
— Adish ?? (@36__NotAllOut) July 18, 2021
Kuldeep gets 2 in 2 ?
Minod edges one to Shaw at slip, has to depart for 27?
Tune into Sony Six (ENG), Sony Ten 1 (ENG), Sony Ten 3 (HIN), Sony Ten 4 (TAM, TEL) & SonyLIV (https://t.co/QYC4z57UgI) now! ?#SLvINDOnlyOnSonyTen #HungerToWin #KuldeepYadav pic.twitter.com/gOKD5xQYz2
— Sony Sports (@SonySportsIndia) July 18, 2021
?Two wickets in a space of four deliveries ?
Kuldeep Yadav is on a roll at Colombo ?
?? – 89/3 (16.4)#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #SLvIND
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/PrashantYadavPK/status/1416721023039246337?s=19
BCCI to Kuldeep Yadav right now; #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/K7zOJnSrvO
— Vijay Kumar?????? (@VijayKu25181080) July 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/kingashu_786/status/1416744972364128264?s=19
After a long time, Kuldeep yadav made it to the team and took two wickets in the same over. #INDvSL
Kuldeep yadav right now : pic.twitter.com/Vga9qOv5Ej
— Saurav raj (@memer_bro_xx01) July 18, 2021
Celebration of Kuldeep Yadav when he takes 2 Wickets in an over. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/xchMLwwFly
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) July 18, 2021
