'It's awkward to receive Player of the Match award, seeing the way Virat Kohli batted' - Kuldeep Yadav after 1st ODI vs West Indies

Kuldeep Yadav took four wickets for 40 runs on his ODI comeback as India defeated West Indies by eight wickets at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Sunday, September 27, 2026. West Indies scored 295 for seven in their 50 overs, and India chased down the target, reaching 300 for two in 41.4 overs. Kuldeep bowled 10 overs, including one maiden during the day-night match.

Kuldeep received the Player of the Match award for his bowling performance. However, the left-arm wrist spinner expressed his view that Virat Kohli's batting display deserved greater recognition. Kohli scored 139 not out off just 88 balls in India's successful chase, playing an outstanding innings that guided his team to victory.

"I actually loved the batting from Shubman and Virat bhai, it was a special inning from them. It feels awkward to receive the Man of the Match award, seeing the way Virat bhai batted, it was an outstanding inning," Kuldeep said at the post-match presentation.

Rhythm and variations key to bowling success

Kuldeep's four victims in the match were John Campbell, who scored 62 off 60 balls; Shai Hope, who made 12 off 11; Justin Greaves, who hit 101 off 108; and Jewel Andrew, who departed for a duck. The spinner's performance marked a significant return to ODI cricket after a period of limited selection, having travelled with the Indian team to England for three ODIs earlier in 2026 without playing.

"I think personally I liked my rhythm, to be very honest. I was very calm in my rhythm and just trying to bowl whatever I felt like bowling, just varying the pace, variations were superb, just reading the batters, where they're going to hit me, and yeah, I found it very good in rhythm." He said.

Confidence built through strong bowling performances

Kuldeep said that this performance will give him a lot of confidence and help him bowl with a much more relaxed mindset. He also highlighted the importance of being in good rhythm and flow.

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"It always feels nice when you enjoy your bowling and that's where you achieve your best, and when you are enjoying your bowling, when you are a bit relaxed as well, then your performance comes at peak. So, sometimes it feels to get that confidence back, you have to have a bowling spell like this, definitely, you grow your confidence," Kuldeep said.

"I still believe there's a lot to improve as a spinner and I believe the rhythm, it's all about your flow, bowling flow, and when you are comfortable and when you are in good flow, then everything looks so good. I personally feel there's still a chance to improve, and I'm going to stick with the same rhythm, that's the most important thing. Any format, it's just you feel comfortable in your rhythm and in your flow," he added.