Discarded Indian fast bowler Siddarth Kaul has announced his return to form in emphatic fashion, claiming a five-wicket haul on his debut for Northamptonshire in the County Championship. This impressive performance against Gloucestershire comes after a period on the sidelines of the Indian national team.
A Three-Match Deal and Instant Success
Kaul, a 33-year-old pacer from Punjab, signed a three-match contract with Northamptonshire as a replacement for Australian bowler Chris Tremain. This presented a golden opportunity for Kaul to showcase his skills on the English domestic circuit. Thrust into the starting lineup for the clash against Gloucestershire, Kaul wasted no time in making his mark.
Opening the bowling alongside Ben Sanderson, Kaul claimed his maiden County wicket in the form of well-established Australian opener Cameron Bancroft, who was trapped lbw. Kaul continued his impressive spell, dismissing Oliver Price with a full delivery that induced a catch at second slip. James Bracey, another victim of Kaul’s swing bowling, was adjudged lbw after being rapped on the pads by a full delivery.
Kaul’s relentless attack continued, as he added two more wickets to his tally. A clever “nibbling” delivery found the edge of Zafar Gohar’s bat, resulting in a dismissal to the wicketkeeper. Josh Shaw became Kaul’s fifth and final victim, trapped plumb in front by a well-directed length ball.
Dominant Bowling Figures and Promising Future
Kaul’s exceptional bowling spell saw him finish with figures of 29-7-76-5, effectively derailing Gloucestershire’s batting innings. At the time of writing, Northamptonshire are batting in response, with the scoreboard reading 75-3.
While Kaul’s last international appearance for India came in 2019, and his most recent IPL stint was with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2022, he has remained a prominent figure in Indian domestic cricket. Entering this County Championship debut, Kaul boasted an impressive record of 284 first-class wickets in 84 matches, at an exceptional average of 26.45.
Siddarth Kaul’s dominant performance on debut suggests he may not be done with international aspirations. This five-wicket haul serves as a powerful reminder of his talent and potential, and could potentially pave the way for a return to the Indian national team. Northamptonshire will be hoping that Kaul can continue his impressive form throughout his three-match stint, while Indian selectors may be keeping a close eye on his progress.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
