India’s left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been one of the biggest match-winners in modern ODI cricket, especially against Australia. With his deceptive flight and sharp turn, he has consistently troubled Australia’s top order across both home and away conditions.
Since his debut against them in 2017, Kuldeep has become India’s go-to spinner, delivering several game-changing spells in key matches — including World Cup encounters and bilateral series.
Let’s take a detailed look at Kuldeep Yadav’s ODI performance against Australia (2017–2025).
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Kuldeep Yadav vs Australia – Overall ODI Record
| Matches | Overs | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike Rate | 4W | 5W | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 205 | 31 | 36.50 | 6.03 | 36.3 | 0 | 0 | 3/42 |
Total Wickets: 31
Best Figures: 3/42 (Chennai, 2023)
Economy Rate: 6.03
Bowling Average: 36.50
Kuldeep’s wicket-taking consistency and control over length have made him India’s most successful spinner against Australia in recent years.
Kuldeep Yadav Match-by-Match Bowling Record vs Australia
| Date | Venue | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Best Figures | Economy | Strike Rate | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 2017 | Chennai | 4 | 33 | 2 | 2/33 | 8.25 | 12.0 | 16.50 |
| 21 Sep 2017 | Kolkata | 10 | 54 | 3 | 3/54 | 5.40 | 16.8 | 17.40 |
| 24 Sep 2017 | Indore | 10 | 75 | 2 | 2/75 | 7.50 | 20.5 | 23.14 |
| 01 Oct 2017 | Nagpur | 10 | 48 | 0 | – | 4.80 | – | – |
| 12 Jan 2019 | Sydney | 10 | 54 | 2 | 2/54 | 5.40 | 30.0 | 27.00 |
| 15 Jan 2019 | Adelaide | 10 | 66 | 0 | – | 6.60 | – | – |
| 02 Mar 2019 | Hyderabad | 10 | 46 | 2 | 2/46 | 4.60 | 34.9 | 23.00 |
| 05 Mar 2019 | Nagpur | 10 | 54 | 3 | 3/54 | 5.40 | 31.7 | 30.71 |
| 08 Mar 2019 | Ranchi | 10 | 64 | 3 | 3/64 | 6.40 | 29.6 | 29.06 |
| 10 Mar 2019 | Mohali | 10 | 64 | 1 | 1/64 | 6.40 | 60.0 | 64.00 |
| 13 Mar 2019 | Delhi | 10 | 74 | 1 | 1/74 | 7.40 | 60.0 | 74.00 |
| 09 Jun 2019 | London (Oval) | 9 | 55 | 0 | – | 6.10 | – | – |
| 14 Jan 2020 | Mumbai | 10 | 55 | 0 | – | 5.50 | – | – |
| 17 Jan 2020 | Rajkot | 10 | 65 | 2 | 2/65 | 6.50 | 30.0 | 32.50 |
| 19 Jan 2020 | Bengaluru | 10 | 62 | 1 | 1/62 | 6.20 | 60.0 | 62.00 |
| 02 Dec 2020 | Canberra | 10 | 57 | 1 | 1/57 | 5.70 | 60.0 | 57.00 |
| 17 Mar 2023 | Mumbai | 8 | 48 | 1 | 1/48 | 6.00 | 48.0 | 48.00 |
| 19 Mar 2023 | Vizag | 1 | 12 | 0 | – | 12.00 | – | – |
| 22 Mar 2023 | Chennai | 10 | 56 | 3 | 3/56 | 5.60 | 20.0 | 18.66 |
| 27 Sep 2023 | Rajkot | 6 | 48 | 2 | 2/48 | 8.00 | 18.0 | 24.00 |
| 08 Oct 2023 | Chennai | 10 | 42 | 2 | 2/42 | 4.20 | 30.0 | 21.00 |
| 19 Nov 2023 | Ahmedabad | 10 | 56 | 0 | – | 5.60 | – | – |
| 04 Mar 2025 | Dubai | 8 | 44 | 0 | – | 5.50 | – | – |
Performance Highlights
- Best Bowling: 3/42 (vs Australia, Chennai – Oct 2023)
- Most Wickets in a Series: 9 wickets (India vs Australia 2019)
- Consistency: Took 2+ wickets in 9 matches
- Economy Control: Maintained economy under 6.0 in 12 ODIs
- Match-Winning Spells: Chennai (2023), Kolkata (2017), Nagpur (2019)
Performance Analysis
1. Early Success and Evolution
Kuldeep burst onto the scene against Australia in 2017, immediately picking up wickets with his flight and dip. His spell at Eden Gardens (3/54) remains one of his most memorable, where he dismissed Wade, Agar, and Cummins.
2. Middle Years (2019–2020): Control & Variation
Between 2019–2020, Kuldeep refined his control. Though he didn’t always strike frequently, his economy remained stable around 6, and he often broke crucial partnerships.
3. Recent Form (2023–2025): Mature and Accurate
In recent seasons, he’s evolved into a control-based wicket-taker, using angles and speed variations. His 3/56 at Chennai (March 2023) and 2/42 (Oct 2023) show a return to peak form.
Read more: India vs Australia Head-to-Head Records
Statistical Insights
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 22 |
| Total Overs | 205 |
| Total Wickets | 31 |
| Best Bowling | 3/42 |
| Average | 36.50 |
| Economy Rate | 6.03 |
| Strike Rate | 36.3 |
| 4W/5W | 0 / 0 |
| Most Wickets in an Innings | 3 |
Expert View
Cricket analysts often highlight Kuldeep Yadav’s control, courage to toss up the ball, and wicket-taking threat in middle overs. Against Australia, his variety and left-arm wrist-spin make him a genuine match-winner, especially on dry pitches in India and Asia.
His ongoing battle with batters like David Warner, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell remains one of the most fascinating tactical duels in modern ODI cricket.
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Conclusion
Kuldeep Yadav’s ODI record vs Australia paints the picture of a world-class spinner who thrives under pressure.
With 31 wickets across 22 matches, and multiple impactful spells in big contests, Kuldeep has established himself as one of India’s key strike bowlers.
As India looks ahead to major tournaments, Kuldeep’s continued rhythm and ability to dominate Australia’s middle order will remain a cornerstone of India’s ODI success.
