Kuldeep Yadav's double strike on final day seals record-breaking victory as debutant Manav Suthar shines with seven wickets

India registered their biggest-ever Test win on Saturday, thrashing Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs inside three days at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Kuldeep Yadav triggered the final collapse with two wickets in two balls as the visitors folded for 112 in their second innings.

The victory margin surpasses India's previous best—an innings and 262 runs against Afghanistan themselves in 2019. For Afghanistan, this was only their fourth Test match since gaining Full Member status, and the gulf in experience showed.

Spinners run through fragile line-up

Asked to follow on after conceding a 412-run first-innings lead, Afghanistan never looked like saving the contest. Fourteen wickets tumbled on Day 3 alone, with the pitch offering increasing turn and variable bounce.

Washington Sundar finished with four second-innings wickets while Kuldeep picked up three. Debutant Manav Suthar and Mohammed Siraj chipped in with one each. The Afghan batters, barring Sediqullah Atal's 42 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz's 24, offered little resistance. Seven batters failed to reach double figures.

The Indian attack needed just 35.5 overs to wrap things up in the second dig.

Suthar's dream debut

The Rajasthan left-arm spinner, called up after impressive domestic performances, ended with match figures of 7 for 62. After taking three wickets on Day 2, Suthar added four more on Saturday morning to clean up the first innings at 152.

"He bowled stump to stump and was really disciplined," Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted after the game. "The scoreboard pressure was there, and the pitch behaviour kept changing session by session."

Suthar's parents had travelled from Sri Ganganagar to watch him but returned home before his heroics—apparently due to superstition, according to team sources.

Batting foundation laid early

India's victory was set up by their first-innings total of 564 for 8 declared. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul struck centuries while Rishabh Pant and Sai Sudharsan contributed 81 runs each. Washington Sundar's 52 provided late impetus after India won the toss and opted to bat first on a dry surface.

The plan was to post 350-plus no matter where you're batting," Gill said after the match. "For the spinners, it was about gaining experience—how to set up batters in home conditions."

 India surpass West Indies' win tally

The victory marked India's 186th Test win in 599 matches, moving them ahead of the West Indies' tally of 185. Only Australia (426), England (405) and South Africa (191) have won more Tests. The result also provided some relief for the home side after losing 0-2 to South Africa last year, though that series was away from home against stronger opposition.

Afghanistan's Mohammad Saleem, who picked up a six-wicket haul in India's first innings, emerged as a rare positive for the visitors alongside Rahmat Shah's fighting 60.

The focus now shifts to the ODI series starting June 13.

Kuldeep Yadav Visits Banke Bihari Temple with Wife Vanshika

Star Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav offers prayers at Vrindavan's Banke Bihari Temple with wife Vanshika in first visit after marriage.

Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav made a quiet visit to the revered Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan along with his wife Vanshika on Tuesday evening. The couple reached the temple around 7:30 PM and spent about 25 minutes offering prayers, marking their first joint trip to the holy town after tying the knot earlier this month.

The duo arrived discreetly, with no prior public announcement, ensuring minimal attention. Temple authorities maintained tight security as the players sought blessings from Lord Krishna. Photos and videos of the visit surfaced on Wednesday morning, quickly going viral on social media and drawing warm reactions from fans across India.

Low-Key Arrival in Vrindavan

Kuldeep and Vanshika entered the temple premises without fanfare. They applied perfume on the threshold as part of the traditional rituals and offered '56 bhog' to the deity. The couple stood with folded hands near the sanctum sanctorum, receiving the Lord's blessed garland from the sevayats.

Temple priest Shailendra Goswami confirmed that Kuldeep's family had informed the management in advance and specifically requested confidentiality to avoid any crowd. "Nitin Sanwariya and I performed the worship. We presented them with the prasad and a wall hanging for Kuldeep, while Vanshika received a flute adorned with peacock feathers," Goswami said.

Couple Stays for Short Prayer Session

During their brief stay, temple guards stood beside the couple to ensure smooth darshan. After the puja, Kuldeep and Vanshika spent around an hour in Vrindavan before heading back to Delhi. The visit comes just days after their wedding on March 14 in Mussoorie, where the star spinner married his longtime partner Vanshika in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends.

Background of Kuldeep's Spiritual Side

Kuldeep Yadav, known for his sharp left-arm wrist spin, has often turned to faith during key phases of his career. Born on December 14, 1994, in a village in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, he grew up in Kanpur. His father, Ram Singh Yadav, a brick kiln owner, played a pivotal role in shaping his cricket journey despite modest beginnings. Kuldeep's mother, Usha Yadav, is a homemaker, and he has three elder sisters.

The 31-year-old off-spinner once revealed in interviews that he initially showed little interest in cricket but pursued it seriously due to his father's encouragement. From playing tennis-ball cricket with friends to representing India, Kuldeep's rise highlights perseverance and family support.

Presence of Teammate Rinku Singh

Cricketer Rinku Singh was also spotted with the couple during the temple visit, adding a friendly touch to the spiritual outing. Fans shared warm messages, praising the couple for starting their married life with blessings from Banke Bihari.

Impact on Fans and Cricket Community

The images of Kuldeep and Vanshika offering prayers have resonated deeply with cricket enthusiasts and devotees alike. Many viewed the low-key visit as a reflection of the spinner's grounded personality amid his growing stature in international cricket.

In the lead-up to the upcoming IPL season, such moments of personal peace often help players recharge mentally. The couple's temple visit has sparked positive conversations on social media, blending sports and spirituality in true Indian tradition.

What Lies Ahead for the Couple

With the domestic cricket season and international commitments on the horizon, Kuldeep is expected to focus on his game while balancing his new family life. Fans eagerly await his performances, hoping the divine blessings from Vrindavan bring continued success on the field.

This first post-marriage visit to Mathura has added a heartfelt chapter to Kuldeep Yadav's personal story, reminding many that even star athletes find strength in faith and family roots.

Indian cricket spinner Kuldeep Yadav and his childhood sweetheart Vanshika Chadha are celebrating their big day in style. The couple, who tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Mussoorie on March 14, is now hosting a grand reception in Lucknow. Over 900 VVIP guests from cricket, politics, business and entertainment are expected at the star-studded event kicking off at 7 PM.

The venue is buzzing with excitement as top cricketers have already arrived. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja and Shikhar Dhawan with his wife Sophie Shine stepped into The Centrum hotel this afternoon. Fresh updates confirm Rishabh Pant is also in Lucknow and will join the celebrations shortly. Kuldeep’s family, including his father, was spotted making last-minute checks at the venue.

Royal Theme & Luxury at The Centrum Hotel

The reception is being held at The Centrum, Lucknow’s premier five-star urban resort in Sushant Golf City. Spread over six acres, the hotel’s iconic Laburnum Lawn is the main venue, capable of hosting 2,500 guests comfortably. A royal theme with stunning floral décor, elegant lighting and custom stage setup has been created at a cost of around ₹7 lakh.

Four chartered aircraft have ferried high-profile guests, including BCCI and ICC officials, Delhi Capitals teammates and senior politicians like the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister. Executive suites at ₹30,000 per night and the exclusive Centrum Villa at ₹45,000 are reserved for VVIPs, while family members enjoy deluxe rooms at ₹16,000.

Hotel owner Sarvesh Goel shared the excitement: “We are very proud to host Kuldeep Yadav’s wedding reception. This is a prestigious occasion for us.”

Lavish Menu & Live Cooking Stations

Guests are in for a treat with the hotel’s premium Platinum Mix Dinner package. Each plate costs approximately ₹5,000 plus taxes, featuring 52 exquisite dishes including 8 welcome drinks, 2 live cooking stations, vegetarian biryani options and 3 premium ice creams. Himalaya and Vedika bottled water will be served in a grand buffet setup.

The entire venue booking for the day has crossed ₹26 lakh, pushing the total estimated expenditure—including rooms, décor and hospitality—beyond ₹33 lakh.

Lucknow’s Rise as a Celebrity Wedding Destination

This high-profile event is another milestone for Lucknow, which is fast emerging as a preferred wedding spot. Improved airport connectivity, expressways and the perfect mix of Nawabi culture with modern luxury are drawing big celebrations away from traditional hubs like Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur. The Centrum itself has hosted Kuldeep’s engagement earlier and many other celebrity and political events.

Earlier live moments from the day included heartwarming videos of Kuldeep, Yuzvendra Chahal, Tilak Varma and fielding coach T Dilip dancing at the wedding, and Bageshwar Dham’s Dhirendra Shastri attending the Mussoorie ceremony.

As the sun sets in Lucknow, the party is just getting started. The Kuldeep Yadav wedding reception promises to be one of the most talked-about cricket celebrations of 2026, blending star power, royal hospitality and pure joy.

Kuldeep Yadav, India's T20 World Cup-winning spinner, is set to begin a new chapter with his childhood sweetheart Vanshika. The Kuldeep Yadav wedding in Mussoorie on March 14 has cricket fans and Kanpur locals buzzing, especially after his father personally invited UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

Engagement Roots in Kanpur

Hailing from Kanpur, Kuldeep and Vanshika grew up just 3 km apart—him in Lal Bungalow, her in Shyam Nagar. Their bond started as childhood friendship and blossomed into love. Vanshika, now an LIC employee, fits Kuldeep's 2024 vision of a partner who prioritizes family over glamour. They got engaged on June 4, 2025, in Lucknow, with guests like cricketer Rinku Singh and SP MP Priya Saroj. Early plans for November 2025 shifted due to India's packed schedule and World Cup prep—now, post-victory, it's celebration time.

Ceremony Details: Mussoorie Magic to Lucknow Grandeur

Wedding festivities kick off March 13 with haldi and mehendi at a lavish Mussoorie resort. The pheras follow on March 14 amid Uttarakhand's scenic hills. Coach Kapil Dev Pandey confirmed the intimate yet starry vibe.

Post-wedding, a mega Lucknow reception hits Hotel Centrum on March 17. Expect Indian teammates, international cricketers, Bollywood stars, and UP politicians. Kuldeep's father, Ram Singh Yadav—a former brick kiln owner from Unnao—handed the invite to CM Yogi on Monday, highlighting the family's pride.

• Key dates: Haldi/Mehendi (March 13), Mussoorie wedding (March 14), Lucknow reception (March 17).
  
  

• Guest highlights: T20 heroes, celebs, political figures.
  
  

• Personal touch: Vanshika's Kanpur roots and LIC job add a grounded feel.
  
  

From Reluctant Boy to Cricket Royalty

Born December 14, 1994, Kuldeep credits his father for pushing him into cricket despite his initial disinterest. A top student who preferred tennis ball games, he transformed into a wrist-spin wizard through grit. Today, the Unnao village lad owns luxury cars and a plush Kanpur home—his Kuldeep Yadav wedding marks the ultimate personal milestone after T20 glory.

This Kuldeep Yadav wedding matters now amid IPL hype and India's cricket dominance. It inspires fans: success on the field pairs perfectly with roots and love. As Kuldeep starts this "new innings," stay tuned for exclusive updates.