India's star spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, shone brightly in the third T20I against South Africa on December 14. Celebrating his 29th birthday, Kuldeep delivered an outstanding performance by taking five wickets for just 17 runs in 2.5 overs. This pivotal match, crucial for India, ended with a historic 106-run victory as they bowled out South Africa for 95 runs in 13.5 overs. This win leveled the T20I series at 1-1.

Kuldeep's figures of 5 for 17 mark his best bowling performance in T20Is for India and rank as the fourth best by an Indian bowler in this format. Making history in the series decider, Kuldeep became the first Indian spinner to achieve two five-wicket hauls in T20Is. His initial five-wicket feat occurred against England in 2018, where he dismissed five batters for 24 runs on July 3 at Old Trafford in Manchester.

While Yuzvendra Chahal holds the record for the best T20I bowling figures by an Indian spinner with six wickets for 25 runs against England in 2017, Kuldeep's recent accomplishment is significant. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only other Indian bowler to achieve two five-wicket hauls in T20Is before Kuldeep.

On the global stage, only 13 bowlers have secured five or more wickets in T20Is more than once, and none have achieved this feat thrice. During the third T20I, Kuldeep strategically claimed his first wicket in the last ball of the first over and continued his impressive run with wickets in subsequent overs, culminating in a remarkable performance.

Picture Credit - Hindustan Times