Kuldeep Yadav has shared an emotional message for his former spin partner Yuzvendra Chahal, reflecting on their memorable partnership and admitting that overtaking Chahal in India’s T20 International wicket tally would have felt better if they were still playing together.

Speaking during a JioStar interaction ahead of the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi, Kuldeep said he would have preferred to continue building records alongside Chahal rather than surpassing him individually.

“I’m not particularly happy about it. I would have preferred it if we were playing together, because we could have broken many more records together,” Kuldeep said.

Kuldeep has taken 97 wickets in 56 T20Is, moving one wicket ahead of Chahal, who claimed 96 wickets in 80 matches. Although the milestone marks a significant achievement in Kuldeep’s career, his comments highlighted the bond the two spinners developed while representing India.

The Special ‘KulCha’ Partnership

Fondly known as ‘KulCha’, Kuldeep and Chahal became one of India’s most recognisable spin combinations. Their contrasting wrist-spin styles, attacking approach and ability to trouble batters made them a formidable pairing across formats.

Kuldeep also expressed gratitude for the experience of playing alongside Chahal, saying their time together helped him learn valuable lessons about bowling.

“Whenever you’re around, there’s always a great atmosphere while playing, and I also get to learn a lot about bowling from you. I’ll always be grateful for that,” he said.

Chahal, who announced his retirement from red-ball cricket earlier this month, was part of the broadcaster’s team for the ongoing series, giving the former teammates an opportunity to revisit their partnership.

Kuldeep Opens Up About His T20 Bowling Adjustments

Kuldeep also discussed the challenge of returning to T20 cricket after an extended break. He explained that his bowling rhythm initially resembled his approach in One Day Internationals, where bowlers generally have more opportunities to flight the ball.

He acknowledged that his first two overs featured slightly more loop than he intended, but said his control improved as the innings progressed.

According to Kuldeep, adjusting his length and maintaining the right rhythm are essential when switching between formats.

A Clear Plan Against West Indies’ Power-Hitters

Speaking about the West Indies batting lineup, Kuldeep emphasised the importance of bowling the right length and limiting batters’ freedom to attack.

He explained that West Indies players generate considerable power through their bat speed, meaning even a slightly overpitched delivery can be punished.

Kuldeep said his priority remains delivering a strong performance for India rather than chasing personal milestones.

When Chahal asked whether he would celebrate reaching 100 T20I wickets with a pose inspired by his former partner, Kuldeep responded playfully that he would try to do so.

For Kuldeep, however, the bigger achievement remains team success—and the enduring friendship behind one of India’s most memorable spin partnerships.