Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, commenting on Kuldeep Yadav's performance in India-New Zealand series, said, "Kuldeep might be thinking that Varun Chakaravarthy is slightly ahead of him." "So Kuldeep might be trying too hard," he added, noting, "Make him believe that he's the best in the world." Kuldeep picked up four wickets in three games in India-New Zealand T20I series.