India spinner Kuldeep Yadav produced a moment of magic in the County Championship 2026 as he bowled Essex captain Tom Westley with a superb wrong’un, adding another highlight to his spell for Yorkshire at Headingley.
Kuldeep Yadav sets up Tom Westley brilliantly
Kuldeep’s dismissal of Westley was the result of a well-planned sequence rather than a sudden piece of brilliance. The left-arm wrist-spinner repeatedly challenged the Essex batter from different angles and varied his length to keep him guessing.
Having already made Westley uncertain about whether to come forward or retreat into his crease, Kuldeep eventually delivered the perfect wrong’un. The ball went straight through the England batter’s defence, turned just enough to beat his inside edge and crashed into the stumps. Westley, who leads Essex, had no answer to the delivery and was dismissed for a seven-ball duck.
Here’s the video:
Kuldeep Yadav’s figures: 9️⃣-5️⃣-2️⃣0️⃣-3️⃣ https://t.co/G1DgOXGEPV pic.twitter.com/morsKpSWYr
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) September 9, 2026
The dismissal was one of three wickets claimed by Kuldeep during Essex’s first innings. Yorkshire had already posted an imposing 390 after being sent into bat, putting their opponents under considerable pressure. By the close of play on day two, Essex had slipped to 137/7, leaving Yorkshire with a substantial 253-run lead.
Kuldeep was particularly effective in building pressure. He bowled 19 overs, including five maidens, and finished the day with figures of 3/60. His other victims were Paul Walter and Charlie Allison. Walter was trapped lbw for four from 31 deliveries, while Allison fell to a similar dismissal after scoring 15 from 12 balls.
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Kuldeep looking to make an impact in England
Kuldeep’s County Championship campaign began against Surrey, although he did not get an opportunity to bowl in either innings. His three wickets against Essex therefore represent his first success with the ball in the competition this season.
The Indian spinner has already spent time representing Yorkshire in the club’s One-Day campaign. He picked up nine wickets at an average of 23.22, maintaining an economy rate of 4.46, with best figures of 2/23. Yorkshire enjoyed a strong run in the competition but ultimately saw their campaign end in the quarter-finals.
Following the Essex fixture, Yorkshire are scheduled to face Somerset at Leeds, with the next game beginning on September 15. For Kuldeep, the spell against Essex offers a timely reminder of his ability to produce wickets through deception, with Westley’s dismissal standing out as the highlight of his performance.
Also READ: Top 5 highest ever team totals in County Cricket history ft. Surrey
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