Kuldeep Yadav on his 4 for 30 vs Pakistan, the men's T20I bowling performance of the year
The India spinner's spell in the Asia Cup final was voted the men's T20I bowling performance of the year
Kuldeep had spent the tour of England in 2025 warming the bench, often spotted with an earpiece plugged in, listening to commentary when not running drinks. For someone nearing his peak, it must have taken enormous mental discipline to remain focused, knowing it wasn't because of his lack of skill but India's keenness to play an extra batter, that he had to sit out. That made the Asia Cup vital because it was going to be his first set of T20Is since India's World Cup win in Barbados in June 2024.
Kuldeep left his mark immediately upon receiving his first opportunity, against UAE. That marked the start of a dream tournament for him, where he was used as India's trump card through the middle overs. He delivered unfailingly each time, none more spectacularly than in the final.
The two previous weekends had produced high-voltage cricket of the sort that's always wished for from marquee rivalries but doesn't always materialise. There was a huge amount riding on the third straight India vs Pakistan Sunday, particularly in the wake of the India players declining to shake hands with Pakistan's. On a slightly tired surface, in muggy September heat that wore it down further, Kuldeep tied Pakistan's batting line-up in knots.
Pakistan lost a wicket or more every over from the 13th through the 18th. From 113 for 1, they unravelled spectacularly, losing 9 for 33 to give India a target they were never going to be concerned about.
Kuldeep isn't one to panic when batters come after him. And in this match he continued to bait them with his flight and guile. That he was taken for 23 off his first two overs didn't affect his willingness to keep plugging away and let his strengths come to the fore.
Key moment
The three wickets Kuldeep took in his fourth over - the 17th of the innings - sent Pakistan into a tailspin. He first lured Salman Agha down the track with a teasing wrong'un on leg stump, only for him to miscue the swipe to Sanju Samson behind the stumps. Then he fired his googly in quicker than usual and had Shaheen Afridi swinging across the line and missing to be trapped lbw. To complete the collapse, Faheem Ashraf chipped a full delivery tamely to long-off.
Recommended Read
The numbers
17 The number of wickets Kuldeep took in the 2025 Asia Cup, comfortably ahead of second-placed Shaheen Afridi (10)
5 The Asia Cup final was the fifth instance of Kuldeep taking three or more wickets in a single over. Only Rashid Khan (six) has done it more often in men's T20Is for which data is available.
What they said
"Finals are always about stepping up, and to contribute like that on such a stage was very special for me personally. Seeing the smiles on my team-mates' faces and knowing I played my part in winning that trophy... that's the moment that will always stay with me."
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Kuldeep Yadav
The closest contender
Mohammad Nawaz
5 for 19 v Afghanistan, T20I Tri-Series final, Sharjah
In the middle of 2025, Nawaz's last international had come 18 months prior, and Pakistan's focus on younger bowlers, like Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqeem, seemed to have closed doors he didn't think would open again. Ahead of the Asia Cup, in the final of a tri-series final, the 141 Pakistan put up seemed inadequate halfway through, but an astonishing spell by Nawaz that straddled the end of the powerplay saw Afghanistan lose four wickets for three runs. Nawaz ended up with five wickets, including a hat-trick, as Afghanistan folded for just 66.
5 for 19 v Afghanistan, T20I Tri-Series final, Sharjah
In the middle of 2025, Nawaz's last international had come 18 months prior, and Pakistan's focus on younger bowlers, like Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqeem, seemed to have closed doors he didn't think would open again. Ahead of the Asia Cup, in the final of a tri-series final, the 141 Pakistan put up seemed inadequate halfway through, but an astonishing spell by Nawaz that straddled the end of the powerplay saw Afghanistan lose four wickets for three runs. Nawaz ended up with five wickets, including a hat-trick, as Afghanistan folded for just 66.