Kuldip Yadav
Role: Bowler (Left-arm fast-medium)
DOB: 15 October 1996
IPL Team (2026): Unsold/Retired
Base Price: Last known auction price: INR 20 Lakhs (2018)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 2018 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 2 | 36 | 49 | 0 | – | – | 8.16 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2 | 36 | 49 | 0 | – | – | 8.16 | – | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Kuldip Yadav
Kuldip Yadav, a left-arm fast-medium bowler hailing from Haryana, represents the countless domestic talents who dream of making it big in the IPL. Born on October 15, 1996, Kuldip carved a niche for himself in the domestic circuit with his ability to swing the new ball and offer valuable variations. His promising performances caught the eye of IPL scouts, culminating in his big break with the Rajasthan Royals.
The year 2018 marked Kuldip’s entry into the glitzy world of the IPL. Picked up by the Rajasthan Royals, he was seen as a potential asset, offering a left-arm angle that is always coveted in T20 cricket. His debut came against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 18, 2018, where he bowled 3 overs, conceding 20 runs. Just four days later, he featured against Mumbai Indians, delivering another 3 overs for 29 runs. While he didn’t pick up any wickets in his brief two-match stint, he showcased glimpses of pace and control under immense pressure.
Despite his potential, breaking into a star-studded IPL XI and consistently performing proved to be a monumental challenge. Kuldip’s journey highlights the cut-throat competition in the league, where even a slight dip in form or a strong bench can limit opportunities. His playing style was characterized by a smooth action, aiming for accuracy and subtle movement off the pitch, but the IPL stage demands immediate impact, a hurdle he couldn’t quite clear in his limited outings.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Kuldip Yadav’s IPL journey, though brief, was entirely with the Rajasthan Royals. He was acquired by the franchise in the 2018 IPL auction for his base price of INR 20 Lakhs. The Royals, known for nurturing young talent, saw potential in the left-arm pacer. He made his debut and played his only two IPL matches in the 2018 season. While he remained part of the Royals squad for subsequent seasons (2019-2021), he did not get further opportunities to feature in the playing XI. He was eventually released by the franchise before the mega-auction of 2022 and has since remained unsold, effectively marking the end of his active IPL career.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting perspective, Kuldip Yadav’s IPL career offers a cautionary tale rather than a direct betting opportunity. His primary strength was his left-arm angle, which provides a different dimension to any bowling attack, capable of creating awkward angles for right-handed batsmen. He also possessed the ability to swing the ball early in the innings, a valuable asset if conditions favored it. However, his limited IPL exposure (just 2 matches) and a lack of wickets (0) are significant weaknesses. His economy rate of 8.16, while not disastrous, didn’t suggest a wicket-taking threat either.
For bettors, Kuldip represented a high-risk, high-reward ‘punt’ that never quite paid off. In conditions conducive to swing, he might have been an outside bet for an early wicket, but his overall consistency and ability to handle pressure in the IPL remained untested over a longer period. Given his current status as an unsold/retired player, he is no longer a factor in active IPL betting markets. His profile serves as a reminder of the fine margins that separate domestic hopefuls from established IPL stars, where even a couple of expensive overs can halt a promising career.
Key Records & Milestones
- Debuted in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2018 for Rajasthan Royals.
- One of the few left-arm fast-medium bowlers to have represented Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
- Played a total of 2 IPL matches in his career.
- Bowled 36 balls in his IPL career, conceding 49 runs.
IPL Season Highlights
Kuldip Yadav’s IPL journey was confined to the 2018 season, where he made his two appearances for the Rajasthan Royals. His debut came against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 18, 2018, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. In that match, he bowled 3 overs, conceding 20 runs, and showed glimpses of his ability to maintain a tight line and length. His second and final IPL match was against Mumbai Indians on April 22, 2018, also in Jaipur. Here, he bowled another 3 overs, giving away 29 runs. While he didn’t manage to pick up a wicket in either game, these matches were his only taste of the high-octane IPL action, representing the pinnacle of his T20 career in the league.