'I’ll definitely come back': Kuldeep Yadav promises Yorkshire return after stunning 10-wicket haul

Kuldeep Yadav’s short stint with Yorkshire has already produced a performance that neither the player nor the county will forget anytime soon. The India left-arm wrist-spinner claimed his first 10-wicket haul in first-class cricket as Yorkshire crushed Essex by an innings and 106 runs at Headingley, securing their Division One status with three days to spare.Kuldeep finished with match figures of 10-120, taking 4-70 in Essex’s first innings before returning to claim 6-50 in the second. His performance earned him the County Championship Player of the Round award and underlined his ability to influence matches with the red ball.The spell was particularly impressive because Headingley is not traditionally regarded as a spin-dominated venue. Kuldeep said he initially found little assistance from the surface but focused on making the batters create their own mistakes.“It wasn’t a rank turner; Headingley is not known for that,” Kuldeep said in a statement on Monday “I was just trying to make the batters make mistakes.”His approach changed in the second innings when he spotted an opportunity to exploit the footmarks outside the stumps. By changing his angles and bowling both over and around the wicket, he repeatedly troubled Essex’s middle order.Yorkshire already want him backThe performance has also strengthened Kuldeep’s relationship with Yorkshire, who signed him on a short-term deal in July. His spell with the county was interrupted by his involvement with India during their Test series in Sri Lanka, while he also featured in Yorkshire’s defeat against Surrey at The Oval.Despite the interruptions, Kuldeep has made a strong impression inside the Yorkshire dressing room. He has now promised to return to the County Championship, describing Headingley as his “ultimate home” after completing his first 10-wicket match haul.“When I was about to get the sixth one, I thought, ‘Give me one more, let me complete the ten-wicket haul!’” he said.“I’ll definitely come back, that’s a promise.”Yorkshire head coach Anthony McGrath made it clear that the county would welcome another stint from the spinner. He praised Kuldeep’s control and his ability to constantly change angles and set batters up.“You could see how much he spins it and his control of spin was just sensational,” McGrath said.The spinner has also quickly built a strong relationship with Yorkshire’s other players. Off-spinner Dom Bess, who took five wickets in the match and shared an 83-run eighth-wicket partnership with Kuldeep in the first innings, highlighted the Indian’s enthusiasm for the craft.“The thing I love about KD is the love of craft. He comes here to play and absolutely loves it,” Bess said.McGrath believes Yorkshire would have little hesitation in bringing Kuldeep back, saying the county would “bite his hand off” to sign him for another campaign.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.