Ace spinner Kuldeep Yadav scripted history after producing yet another stellar performance with the ball in India's dashing seven-wicket victory over West Indies in the third T20I in Guyana on Wednesday (August 8). Riding on his impressive three-fer Kuldeep shattered Bhuvneshwar Kumar's rare record and became the highest wicket-taker in India versus West Indies' T20I encounters.
Kuldeep rose to the occasion once again and snared 3/28 to limit West Indies to 159/5. In reply, Suryakumar Yadav' lightning 83 and Tilak Varma's fiery 49 ensured India's facile seven-wicket victory to record their first win in the five-match T20I series.
India's journey in the current series has been a roller-coaster. The Hardik Pandya-led squad suffered defeats in the initial two matches against the West Indies but made a strong comeback to clinch comprehensive win at the Providence Stadium, Guyana.
After missing the second match due to a thumb injury, the 28-year-old spinner marked his return in the third match. He displayed exceptional skills, claiming three vital wickets, which thwarted Caribbeans from posting a big total. With an outstanding economy rate of 7.00, he only gave away 28 runs in his spell of four overs. Yadav's key dismissals included Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran, and Brandon King.
This achievement saw him break the record previously held by Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the highest wicket-taker in India-West Indies T20Is. While Bhuvneshwar had 13 wickets in 18 games, Kuldeep outshined him in merely seven matches.
Meanwhile, West Indies' Obed McCoy holds the third spot in this list, boasting 12 wickets in eight games. Indian all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi follow closely, having taken 11 wickets each.
Bowlers to snare most T20I wickets in India vs West Indies' encounters
Kuldeep Yadav – 15 wickets in 11 matches
Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 13 wickets in 18 matches
Obed McCoy – 12 wickets in 8 matches
Ravi Bishnoi – 11 wickets in 7 matches
Ravindra Jadeja – 11 wickets in 12 matches
India will look to carry their winning momentum in the fourth T20I against West Indies on August 12, to equalise the contest and force a series decider.
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