Delhi Capitals’ all-rounder Axar Patel has revealed that the franchise gave a sense of security to Kuldeep Yadav after roping him in IPL 2022 mega auction for INR 2 crores.
Yadav has been a bit low on confidence in the last couple of seasons as he wasn’t in the best of forms and also didn’t get to play for Kolkata Knight Riders.
However, the chinaman made a promising start to his 2022 campaign against Mumbai Indians as he returned with impressive figures of 3-18 in his quota of four overs. Kuldeep accounted for Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, and Anmolpreet Singh and played a key role in restricting the five-time champions at 177.
Kuldeep also revealed that he had a word with Ricky Ponting regarding the pace with which he should bowl and the head coach gave him a lot of confidence.
The mystery wrist spinner has worked hard on his bowling in the last couple of months and the results are palpable for him.
“It’s all about the mindset. He was struggling in the IPL as his place was not secured for KKR. He was not sure whether he would play all their matches,” Axar said at the post-match media conference.
Patel revealed Kuldeep has been backed by the team management and has been told that he would get his chances in the final XI at Delhi Capitals, which has added a shot in his arm.
“But he feels that surety of playing matches after coming over here. If you know your place is secured, and not that you have to perform in two matches otherwise you will be sacked from the team, then you can give your best.”
Meanwhile, Kuldeep didn’t have a great run for Kolkata Knight Riders as he took 40 wickets in 45 IPL matches for them. Varun Chakravarthy was backed as the first choice spinner by the two-time champions and thus Kuldeep didn’t get his chances in the last couple of seasons.
“The way (head coach) Ricky (Ponting), other coaches, and the captain (Rishabh Pant) extended their support to him, he could give his best,” he said.
“Even during the practice, we tell him you can do well. It’s about that surety. He has got that mental shift that he will play all matches so he is able to give his best.”
Kuldeep must have grown in confidence after bagging the Player of the Match award in his opening match for Delhi Capitals. Delhi will next face Gujarat Titans on Saturday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
