'If I play in 18 months or...': Kuldeep Yadav breaks silence on long gap in international cricket after picking a fifer in 2nd Test against West Indies

India veteran spinner Kuldeep Yadav issued a clarification that it doesn't matter to him if he plays international cricket after one month or a year after picking up a fifer in the second Test match against West Indies at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Notably, the Uttar Pradesh-born spinner was benched for the whole five-Test match series of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against England. Kuldeep, who was India's highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025, has also been the wicket-taker for the series as of now with nine scalps. After picking up a fifer, the left-arm spinner said that whenever he gets the ball, he wants to give his best.

"Whatever ball I get, I just have to bowl. And whatever format I play, just give my best. Taking a five-wicket haul after quite a long was special. You have to create magic on the field. That's what I always think about. And it doesn't matter if I play in 18 months or one month. So, that was very clear for me" said Kuldeep Yadav after Day 3 of India vs West Indies 2nd Test.

Kuldeep Yadav creates history during the 2nd Test vs the West Indies

After picking a fifer against West Indies, Kuldeep Yadav equalled the world record for most Test fifers by a left-arm wrist spinner as he equalled Johnny Wardle's record. The former England bowler who bowled both left-arm orthodox as well as with his wrist.

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Most five-wicket hauls by left-arm wrist spinners in Tests

5 - Kuldeep Yadav (15 matches)
5 - Johnny Wardle (28 matches)
4 - Paul Adams (45 matches).

India vs West Indies Day 3 report

West Indies batters John Campbell and Shai Hope shifted the momentum of the game on Day 3 of the second Test match against India at Arun Jaitely Stadium in New Delhi. At stumps, West Indies trailed by 97 runs. Campbell (87*) and Hope's (66*) unbeaten stand helped the visitors to end the day in their favour after India enforced the follow-on. West Indies lost two of their wickets before lunch, but the duo batted brilliantly against India to survive the final session without losing more wickets.