Kuldeep took 4-70 in the first innings before returning figures of 6-50 in the second innings and grabbed his first ten-wicket performance in first-class cricket, which in turn secured Yorkshire\u2019s Division One status inside three days.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kuldeep, who joined Yorkshire on a short-term contract in July, earned the County Championship Player of the Round award for his match figures of 10-120. \u201cWhen I was about to get the sixth one, I thought, \u2018Give me one more, let me complete the ten-wicket haul!\u2019 It\u2019s not the home conditions that I grew up playing in, but this is the ultimate home now, so playing here and getting a ten-for, it\u2019s been so good,\u201d he said in a statement on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kuldeep dismantled the Essex middle order across both innings on a surface that offered assistance to spin, and adjusted his line and pace to exploit footmarks outside the stumps. \u201cIt looked like a good wicket to bat on. In the first innings, there was not much turn. It wasn\u2019t a rank turner; Headingley is not known for that, so I was just trying to make the batters make mistakes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThen in the second innings I was trying to use the footmarks to bring the ball from outside to the stumps. That was the plan, and using more angles to make the batters uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Yorkshire head coach Anthony McGrath praised Kuldeep\u2019s control and tactical adaptability following the victory. \u201cYou could see how much he spins it and his control of spin was just sensational. If you looked at how he put his overs together \u2013 over the wicket, round the wicket\u2026 he was setting the batters up.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kuldeep\u2019s initial stint was disrupted by his presence in India\u2019s squad for the 1-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka before he featured in Yorkshire\u2019s defeat to Surrey at The Oval. However, his performance against Essex underlined his match-winning capabilities in red-ball cricket as Yorkshire prepare for their next fixture against Somerset.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to be here, everyone is so kind and very humble, and they\u2019ve been very welcoming. If you look at our team, we\u2019ve got lovely lads, lovely young talent in the squad, so to play alongside them feels so good. I\u2019ll definitely come back, that\u2019s a promise.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kuldeep\u2019s initial stint was disrupted by his presence in India\u2019s squad for the 1-0 Test series win in Sri Lanka before he featured in Yorkshire\u2019s defeat to Surrey at The Oval. However, his performance against Essex underlined his match-winning capabilities in red-ball cricket as Yorkshire prepare for their next fixture against Somerset.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Yorkshire off-spinner Dom Bess, who took five wickets in the match and shared an 83-run eighth-wicket partnership with Kuldeep in the first innings, highlighted his impact on the squad. \u201cThe thing I love about KD is the love of craft. He comes here to play and absolutely loves it. We talk a lot of spin, and we have a great relationship.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n