Who is Kuldeep Yadav? Know About His Relationships, Family, Career, Stats and More

Kuldeep Yadav, born on December 14, 1994, in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, is a prominent Indian cricketer best known for his rare left-arm unorthodox spin, popularly referred to as "chinaman" bowling. He grew up in Kanpur and initially dreamed of becoming a fast bowler, inspired by legendary pacer Wasim Akram. However, after observing Shane Warne’s artistry, he shifted focus to wrist spin. Kuldeep Yadav’s career gained major momentum during the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where he drew national attention by becoming the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in the tournament’s history. He finished the event among the leading wicket-takers, securing 14 dismissals and showcasing his potential on the international stage.

Kuldeep Yadav stepped onto the international stage in 2017, debuting in all three formats of the game. He rapidly became an integral part of the Indian bowling lineup with his distinctive spin style. Over the years, he has claimed more than 180 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs), with a standout performance of 6 wickets for 25 runs against Australia. His consistent and impactful contributions played a vital role in India’s triumphs at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, cementing his status as a match-winner on the global stage. Away from the game, Kuldeep made news in his personal life when he got engaged to his longtime friend, Vanshika, during a private engagement ceremony held in Lucknow in June 2025.

Kuldeep Yadav Biography

Kuldeep Yadav was born in Unnao, but his hometown is Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The 30-year-old stands at approximately 5ft 6in. He has pursued his schooling from Karam Devi Memorial Academy World School, Kanpur. The left-arm wrist spinner, often termed the Chinaman, is a rare skill set in cricket. It is a leg spinner, but from a left-handed bowler, which is what makes it rare.

Kuldeep Yadav Religion and Caste

Kuldeep Yadav follows Hinduism and hails from the Yadav community. He has never publicly mentioned his caste.

Kuldeep Yadav Family

Kuldeep Yadav comes from a caring and tightly bonded family based in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. His father, Ram Singh Yadav, runs a brick kiln business and was instrumental in encouraging Kuldeep to pursue a cricket career. His mother, Usha Yadav, is a homemaker and has been a steady source of support throughout his journey.

Kuldeep Yadav Father

Kuldeep Yadav father, Ram Singh Yadav, runs a brick kiln business and hails from Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. Understanding Kuldeep’s deep interest in cricket from an early age, he went to great lengths to support his son’s dream. To ensure better training and exposure, he moved the family to Kanpur, where access to quality coaching was more readily available. It was Ram Singh who connected Kuldeep with coach Kapil Pandey, a key figure in shaping his cricketing technique and guiding his development as a spinner.

Kuldeep Yadav Mother

Kuldeep Yadav mother, Usha Yadav, is a homemaker and has been a strong support in Kuldeep Yadav’s cricket journey. One special moment came in 2017 when Kuldeep took a hat-trick against Australia at Eden Gardens. At that time, Kuldeep's mother had stepped away to do her evening prayers and missed watching it live. Later, she said the moment felt like a blessing, as it happened on the first day of Navratri, making it even more meaningful for the family.

Kuldeep Yadav Brother

Kuldeep Yadav does not have a brother. Kuldeep's only siblings are his three sisters.

Kuldeep Yadav Sister

Kuldeep Yadav has three sisters, Anushka Yadav, who is a lawyer by profession. There are no additional details about his other two sisters, Anita Yadav and Madhu Yadav.

Kuldeep Yadav Instagram

Kuldeep Yadav has more than 4.4M followers on his account. He is frequently active on Instagram and posts about his personal and professional life. His username is @kuldeep_18.

Kuldeep Yadav Twitter

Kuldeep Yadav has over 2.3M followers on his X account (formerly Twitter). He is quite active on his X account as well. His username is @imkuldeep18. He has expressed his opinions on various topics other than cricket on his X account.

Kuldeep Yadav Jersey Number

Kuldeep Yadav dons jersey number 23 in both international and franchise cricket. Earlier, he used to wear jersey number 18 for India U-19. But, for the national side, that jersey was already taken by the chase master, Virat Kohli.

Kuldeep Yadav Relationship

Kuldeep Yadav recently became engaged to his longtime friend Vanshika in an intimate ceremony held in Lucknow on June 4, 2025. The occasion was celebrated with the presence of close relatives, friends, and fellow cricketer Rinku Singh.

Kuldeep Yadav Wife

Kuldeep Yadav got engaged to his longtime friend, Vanshika, on June 4, 2025. The couple is expected to get married later this year. Vanshika is from Shyam Nagar, Lucknow, and works at the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). She has known Kuldeep since they were kids in Kanpur.

Kuldeep Yadav Net Worth and Salary

By 2025, Kuldeep Yadav net worth is estimated to be around ₹32 crore (approximately $4 million). Most of his earnings come from his BCCI Grade B central contract, his salary from the IPL, and multiple brand endorsement deals. Apart from his income from cricket, Kuldeep leads a comfortable life, living in a stylish home in Kanpur and owning luxury cars.

Kuldeep Yadav Career

The left-arm wrist spinner is widely recognized for his unique wrist spin, commonly known as "chinaman" bowling. His rise to fame began with the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where he made history as the first Indian to claim a hat-trick in the tournament. He stepped into international cricket in 2017 and quickly earned praise for his sharp spin and accuracy. Since then, he has remained a consistent presence in India’s ODI and T20 teams.

International Career

Kuldeep Yadav has featured in 13 Test matches, 113 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 40 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for India. In ODIs, he has taken 181 wickets at an average of 26.44, with a career-best performance of 6 for 25. Notably, he became the fastest Indian spinner to reach 100 ODI wickets, achieving the milestone in just 58 innings in January 2020. In T20Is, he has picked up 69 wickets at an excellent average of 14.07, with best figures of 5 for 17. In Tests, Yadav has secured 56 wickets at an average of 22.16, with his best figures being 5 for 40. Kuldeep also played a vital role in India’s victories at the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, showcasing his value as a match-winning spinner.

IPL Career

Kuldeep Yadav was initially bought by the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2014, though he didn’t get a chance to make his debut that season. He eventually made his IPL debut in 2016 with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he began to make a name for himself with his unique left-arm wrist spin. In 2022, he was picked up by the Delhi Capitals (DC), where he revived his IPL career with consistent performances. Over time, Kuldeep has established himself as one of the most effective left-arm wrist spinners in IPL history. A major highlight of his journey came during the 2025 season when he became the 11th spinner and 28th bowler overall to reach the 100-wicket milestone in the tournament, reflecting both his longevity and impact in the league.

Kuldeep Yadav Achievements and Awards

Kuldeep Yadav has received numerous honours during his cricket career, underscoring his status as a top-class spinner. He set a record as the quickest Indian spinner to take 100 ODI wickets, accomplishing this feat in only 58 innings.