Yuzvendra Chahal opens up on his bond with Kuldeep Yadav

Indian leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has recently expressed his delight over Kuldeep Yadav’s ongoing success in international cricket, labeling him the best wrist spinner in the world at present. Chahal, who once formed a formidable partnership with Kuldeep in limited-overs cricket, reflected on their time together on the field, calling it an enjoyable and productive phase. The duo, popularly known as the ‘Kul-Cha’ combination, was a key feature in India’s spin attack for several years, helping the team clinch several crucial victories with their complementary styles. Chahal, however, has not been part of the national squad since August 2023, and Kuldeep has continued to feature regularly in India’s ODI setup.

Despite this, Chahal revealed that he is not overly concerned about making a return to the team, as it is beyond his control. Instead, he remains focused on his performances and is happy with his contribution to the team during his time with India. Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025 season), Chahal spoke highly of Kuldeep, acknowledging his immense talent and praising his consistency. Chahal’s praise for Kuldeep serves as a reminder of their historic partnership and highlights the respect and camaraderie they share as fellow spinners.

“I don’t think about what is not in my hands. Right now, he (Kuldeep) is the No.1 wrist spinner in the world. It shows in the way he is bowling both in IPL and international cricket,” stated leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in a recent interview. 

The 34-year-old Yuzvendra Chahal also spoke about the strong camaraderie he shares with Kuldeep Yadav, highlighting the trust they built both on and off the field. This bond, according to Chahal, played a significant role in their consistent success as a spin pair. Over the course of 37 ODIs they played together, the duo collectively picked up 130 wickets, establishing themselves as one of India’s most effective match-winning pairs.

However, in recent years, the team management has increasingly relied on Kuldeep in the limited-overs formats, while Chahal has found his opportunities limited. Despite this, Chahal remains unfazed, focusing on maintaining his form and continuing to perform at his best for his IPL team. While he acknowledges that the team’s selection decisions are out of his control, he continues to support Kuldeep’s rise and is proud of their achievements as a spin duo. Their partnership has been an integral part of India’s success in limited-overs cricket, and Chahal’s positive attitude towards Kuldeep’s progress reflects the strong bond they continue to share.

“I have loved bowling with Kuldeep. We enjoy a great bonding, on and off the field, it shows. It was fun bowling with him because we have a similar approach to bowling. Both of us love to attack. It was also partnership bowling. When one of us would go for runs, the other would make it tighter from the other end. We always trusted each other,” Chahal added.