Kuldeep Yadav Stuns Tom Westley with Decepting Wrong’un in County Championship 2026
India spinner Kuldeep Yadav delivered a masterclass against Essex in the County Championship 2026, dismissing Essex captain Tom Westley with a devastating wrong’un that contributed a crucial hat‑trick to Yorkshire’s spell at Headingley.
Kuldeep’s dismissal of Westley was the culmination of a carefully planned sequence rather than an unexpected flash of brilliance. The left‑arm wrist‑spinner repeatedly probed Westley from varied angles and modulated his lengths to keep the batsman perpetually unsure where to place himself.
By the time the opportunity arose to attack the stance, Westley was second‑guessing whether to push forward or duck into his crease. At that decisive juncture, Kuldeep released the ideal wrong‑un. The delivery cut neatly through his defensive frame, altered just enough to slip past his inner edge, and crashed over the stumps. Westley—the team’s leading opener—had no reply and was swept out for a hasty seven‑ball duck.
Here’s the clip:
Kuldeep Yadav’s figures: 9️⃣-5️⃣-2️⃣0️⃣-3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/morsKpSWYr
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) September 9, 2026
The dismissal counted among three wickets taken by Kuldeep during Essex’s first innings. Yorkshire had compiled an impressive 390 on its opening frame, creating mounting pressure on the visitors before dusk when Essex collapsed to 137/7. By evening’s conclusion, Yorkshire held a commanding 253‑run advantage.
Kuldeep’s impact was evident throughout the session. Over nineteen overs—including five fullers—he compiled figures of 3/60, extracting wickets from Paul Walter (lbw, retired after thirty‑one deliveries) and Charlie Allison (also caught lbw).
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Kuldeep entered the County Championship campaign against Surrey, though he did not have an opportunity to bowl in either format. His three wickets versus Essex thus constitute his inaugural success behind the glass in the competition this season.
The Indian spinner has already accumulated nine wickets in Yorkshire’s One‑Day work, posting an economy of 4.46 and achieving a best haul of 2/23. While his side surged strongly early, Yorkshire slipped out of contention in the fourth round.
Subsequent to the Essex fixture, Yorkshire are poised to meet Somerset at Leeds, with the match slated to commence on September 15. For Kuldeep, the bowling spell over Essex offers a timely rebuttal of his ability to generate wickets via deception—Westley’s removal stands out as the defining moment of his performance.
