Kuldeep Yadav shone for his new franchise Delhi Capitals in the opening game of the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) against five-time champions Mumbai Indians at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
Kuldeep Yadav has been frustrated while sitting on the bench for Kolkata Knight Riders for the past two seasons as he has struggled to break into the team that includes Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. He did not play a single game in 2021 and only 14 for KKR in the 2020 and 2019 seasons.
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However, after being bought at the Delhi Mega Auction for Rs 2 crore, Kuldeep got an opportunity in the first game of his season. And the wrist spinner on the left arm made full use of that.
Kuldeep picked up 3 wickets including that of Rohit Sharma (41) and Kieron Pollard (3) as he repaid the trust the Delhi franchise had placed in him. Kuldeep nailed his lengths and bowled faster than usual, giving away just 18 runs in his 4-over spell.
On a day when Axar Patel gave away 40 runs and Shardul Thakur leaked heaps (47 in 4 overs), Kuldeep kept Delhi on the hunt and choked Mumbai’s hard-hitting unit.
“KULDEEP IS VERY HUNGRY”
Newly appointed Delhi assistant coach Shane Watson heaped praise on Kuldeep, saying the Indian spinner had looked determined and worked hard in the pre-camp.
“He (Kuldeep) has great skills as we have always seen. But he is very hungry as we can see from the way he bowled today. He’s hungry to really prove something. He has skills, he is now I want to do it in a high-pressure situation against these world-class batters from Mumbai,” Watson told Star Sports.
“He’s a highly skilled bowler in all conditions. It doesn’t have to spin for him. It has its variations, particularly its false wrong. Its length is just right. His pace, he bowls a little bit faster. So I’m excited to see what we saw leading up to the first game, but also what he produces for us in the middle,” he added.
WORK REALLY HARD: KULDEEP
Stressing that he hasn’t changed much in his bowling, Kuldeep said he spoke at length with head coach Ricky Ponting and Rohit Sharma when he returned to the Indian side for the limited-overs series against West Indies earlier this year.
“I’m very happy. My lengths were good. I worked really hard and spoke to Ricky Ponting. Before that I also spoke to Rohit Bhai. I haven’t changed much in my bowling. The variation in tempo was because I was in a good rhythm,” said Kuldeep.
Despite Kuldeep’s efforts, the Delhi Capitals conceded 177 in 2 overs as Ishan Kishan hit his 3rd 50 in a row as MI opener. Ishan smashed 11 boundaries and 2 sixes for his 49-ball 81 failing.
