Cricket

Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist-spinner, is set to join India's T20 World Cup squad in the US, buoyed by a successful Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite Delhi Capitals' failure to reach the playoffs, Yadav's personal performance has given him the rhythm and confidence to excel in the upcoming ICC event.In a recent interview with Robin Uthappa, Yadav revealed a technical change he has implemented in his bowling to regain his peak form. "I have changed my rhythm," he explained. "Now that I have an aggressive rhythm, my ball is not dropping in a loop. It will go when I want it to; when I try to deliver like that, it will go, otherwise not."This adjustment has allowed Yadav to reduce the height of his deliveries while maintaining their effectiveness. "The rhythm that I have now, if I can turn that much in this rhythm, then I don't need to flight it that much," he said. "You can do that at times to trap the batsman, but can't deliver that way consistently."Yadav's 16 wickets in 11 innings for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, with an economy rate of 8.65 and strike rate of 16.12, demonstrate his improved form. He will join fellow wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, where the pitches are expected to favor slow bowlers.India's campaign begins against Ireland on June 5, followed by the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on June 9. USA and Canada are the other teams in India's group. Yadav's aggressive rhythm and newfound control will be crucial for India's success in the tournament.

Tristan Stubbs, the dynamic all-rounder for Delhi Capitals, has revealed an intriguing secret about his relationship with India's star left-arm spinner, Kuldeep Yadav. In a recent interview with The Grade Cricketer podcast, Stubbs disclosed that Yadav has consistently refused to bowl to him in the nets."He won't bowl to me. I have tried a few times to go face him, but he won't bowl to me," Stubbs said.This revelation has sparked speculation about Yadav's motives. Stubbs believes that Yadav is intentionally keeping his wrong-un delivery a mystery, preventing him from gaining an advantage in potential future encounters."I think he's trying to keep it a mystery, so I can't tell you," Stubbs said. "I have tried to face him, but he's not having it."Stubbs's comments have raised questions about whether Yadav's refusal to bowl to him is a strategic move or a sign of respect. Some believe that Yadav is simply trying to protect his secret weapon, while others suggest that he may be acknowledging Stubbs's potential as a dangerous batsman.Stubbs, who has been a key contributor to Delhi Capitals' recent resurgence, has expressed a desire to face Yadav in order to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, he understands Yadav's decision to keep his delivery under wraps."I think it's quietly not been said, but I think so, yeah," Stubbs said when asked if he wanted to face Yadav in preparation for the World Cup. "I think he's smart to do so. We're on the same page."Meanwhile, Yadav has been in impressive form for Delhi Capitals, picking up 14 wickets in nine matches. His performances have helped the team climb to fifth place in the points table.As the IPL season progresses, it remains to be seen whether Yadav will change his stance and bowl to Stubbs in the nets. However, the mystery surrounding their relationship has added an intriguing subplot to the tournament.

Kuldeep Yadav's resurgence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has propelled him to the forefront of India's spin bowling options for the upcoming T20 World Cup. After a dismal 2019 season, where he struggled for wickets and economy, Kuldeep has transformed into a formidable force, showcasing his improved pace and accuracy.In the ongoing IPL, Kuldeep has been a revelation for the Delhi Capitals, claiming 14 wickets in just nine matches at an impressive average of 20.50 and an economy rate of 8.20. His ability to break the bail with his deliveries highlights his increased pace, which has made him a more challenging proposition for batters.Kuldeep's resurgence has come at a crucial time for India, who are seeking a replacement for the injured Ravindra Jadeja in their T20 World Cup squad. With his current form, Kuldeep is the frontrunner to join Axar Patel as India's primary spin duo in the tournament.In contrast, Yuzvendra Chahal, who initially impressed for the Rajasthan Royals, has endured a dip in form in recent matches. His struggles have raised concerns about his ability to handle the pressure of the World Cup, especially on flat pitches where batters can dominate.Kuldeep's resurgence and Chahal's struggles have created a clear hierarchy in India's spin bowling department. Kuldeep is now the undisputed number one spinner, while Chahal's place in the World Cup squad is in jeopardy. However, Chahal has the experience and talent to bounce back and prove his worth in the business end of the tournament.

Kuldeep Yadav's exceptional bowling performance propelled Delhi Capitals (DC) to a thrilling victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-scoring encounter in Delhi. Yadav's spell of 2 for 25 proved decisive, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award and lifting DC to fifth place in the points table.Chasing a challenging target of 222, RR appeared in contention at the start of the 18th over, requiring 41 runs from 18 deliveries. However, Yadav's brilliance turned the tide in DC's favor. He successfully reviewed a not-out lbw decision against Donovan Ferreira off the first ball of the over and then dismissed R Ashwin with his final delivery.Yadav's economical bowling in his first three overs, conceding only 21 runs, had already disrupted RR's momentum. DC captain Rishabh Pant revealed that the plan was to save Yadav's over for RR's right-handers, Ferreira and Rovman Powell, at the death."We wanted to take that chance because with Kuldeep, we knew that these players are going to have problems," Pant said. "And as always, Kuldeep delivered - great to see that!"After Yadav's heroics, DC's fast bowlers executed their yorkers with precision in the final overs. Rasikh Salam bowled four yorkers in the 19th over, three of them dot balls to Powell, while Mukesh Kumar delivered two in the final over."Especially in the back end, the way fast bowlers executed the yorkers [was the turning point]," Pant said. "I think that was a positive, because the way our fast bowling has been going and the way the tournament is progressing, each and every day the bowlers are coming on the positive side, and that's good to see."Despite Delhi being a challenging venue for bowlers this season, Yadav emphasized the importance of mixing length and line and reading the batter. "There is a lot of chance to pick wickets, and that's what I did," he said. "You have to be smart enough to bowl and read the batter. It's better to back your strengths, and just keep believing."DC's victory propelled them to fifth place in the points table, level on points with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoff race intensified as Rajasthan Royals suffered a setback in their pursuit of a top-four finish. The Royals fell to a 20-run defeat against Delhi Capitals, leaving their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, made significant progress in their own playoff aspirations. The win propelled them to fifth place in the standings, level on points with Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Chennai Super Kings.The match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was a tale of two halves. Delhi Capitals posted a formidable 221/8, thanks to half-centuries from Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel, and a blistering 20-ball 41 from Tristan Stubbs.In response, Rajasthan Royals got off to a flying start, with captain Sanju Samson leading the charge with a brilliant 86. However, the Royals lost wickets at crucial junctures, and despite a valiant effort from Shubham Dubey, they fell short of the target.Kuldeep Yadav and Mukesh Kumar were the stars for Delhi Capitals with the ball. Kuldeep claimed 2-25, while Mukesh took 2-30 to restrict the Royals to 201/8.The win was a major boost for Delhi Capitals, who are now firmly in contention for a playoff spot. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find their winning ways if they want to secure a top-four finish.

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has credited skipper Rohit Sharma for his improved batting skills, which have been on display during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Speaking ahead of Delhi Capitals' (DC) match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kuldeep revealed that Rohit had provided valuable guidance during the Test series against England earlier this year.Kuldeep's batting prowess was evident in India's 4-1 triumph over England, where he scored 97 runs in six innings, including a crucial 30. He also played a key role in DC's recent match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), scoring an unbeaten 35 off 26 balls."Rohit bhai does not talk to me much about bowling because I am doing what he wants from me with the ball," Kuldeep said. "He was concerned about my batting. He told me to improve my batting. I worked on it during the Test series against England and he was impressed by my hard work."Kuldeep explained that Rohit's guidance focused on the nuances of batting, such as shot selection and footwork. "He used to be with me in the nets and speak to me about the nuances of batting. This helped me a lot and now I am enjoying my batting as much as my bowling," he said.DC will face RR in a crucial match on Tuesday, with both teams looking to improve their standings in the IPL table. DC currently sits in sixth place with five wins and six losses, while RR is in second place with eight wins and two losses.

IPL 2024: Kuldeep Yadav Emphasizes Courage and Strength for Bowlers Amidst Big HittingThe Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed a surge in high-scoring matches and record team totals, largely attributed to the impact player rule. However, Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm spinner for Delhi Capitals, believes that bowlers must remain courageous and rely on their strengths to counter the relentless batting onslaught."Every team is aiming to attack in the powerplay and accumulate as many runs as possible," Yadav stated. "The middle overs provide some respite due to the open field, but batters are taking more risks in the powerplay. Teams no longer target 45-50 runs in that phase."Yadav emphasizes the importance of bowlers sticking to their strengths rather than attempting to outsmart batters. "Bowlers should understand their capabilities and back them," he said. "Jasprit Bumrah is an excellent example. He dominates batters mentally by bowling to his strengths."Despite the challenges, Yadav has impressed with 12 wickets in eight innings and an economy rate of 8.45. He showcased his resilience in Delhi Capitals' match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, conceding 55 runs but claiming four wickets."Confidence is crucial," Yadav explained. "It allows bowlers to attack even in the powerplay. I'm ready for any challenge and always seek wickets. My self-belief has grown, and I trust my abilities."Yadav has primarily been utilized in the middle phase, where he has been most effective. However, he is also eager to contribute with the bat, having scored an unbeaten 35 against Kolkata Knight Riders."Rohit Sharma has encouraged me to improve my batting," Yadav said. "I worked on it during the Test series against England, and he was impressed. He has guided me in the nets, which has significantly enhanced my batting."With the T20 World Cup approaching, Yadav is expected to play a vital role for India. His ability to bowl economically and contribute with the bat makes him a valuable asset for the team.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advocated for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav alongside Ravindra Jadeja as India's spin duo for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Manjrekar's endorsement stems from Kuldeep's exceptional performance in the ongoing IPL 2024, where he has showcased remarkable bowling skills and confidence.Manjrekar believes that Kuldeep's current form resembles that of Jasprit Bumrah or Yuzvendra Chahal at their peak, commanding respect and handling responsibilities with ease. He emphasized that Kuldeep's ability to seize crucial moments and deliver under pressure makes him a valuable asset for India."Kuldeep Yadav is at his peak in terms of skills and confidence. He's like a Bumrah or Chahal at their peak, commanding respect and handling responsibilities comfortably," Manjrekar said. "He's a champion bowler who can form a formidable partnership with Ravindra Jadeja."Kuldeep's impressive performance in IPL 2024 has further solidified his credentials. In six matches, he has claimed 12 wickets, demonstrating his ability to control the game and deliver crucial breakthroughs.After Delhi Capitals' thrilling victory over Gujarat Titans, Kuldeep expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance and his own contribution. "These two points are very important. We had a plan for Tewatia, and it worked out. I focused on my lines and lengths and read the batsmen's intentions," Kuldeep said.Manjrekar's suggestion to pair Kuldeep with Jadeja as India's spin duo for the T20 World Cup 2024 is based on their complementary skills. Jadeja provides a left-arm spin option and is a reliable batter, while Kuldeep's wrist spin and ability to create pressure make him a potent wicket-taker.If Kuldeep continues to perform at his current level, he could play a pivotal role in India's quest for T20 World Cup glory. His confidence, skill, and ability to handle pressure make him a formidable force in the spin department.

Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans Clash in Crucial Mid-Table BattleDelhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, both hovering in the middle of the IPL standings, face off in a pivotal match that could shape their playoff aspirations.Capitals' Inconsistent FormThe Capitals have displayed both brilliance and inconsistency this season. While they boast some of the league's best powerplay bowling performances, they also have the second-highest economy rate in the first six overs. Their recent loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite dismissing Gujarat Titans for a record low last week, highlights their vulnerability.Titans' Spin ProwessThe Titans possess a formidable spin attack led by Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and R Sai Kishore. These spinners will pose a significant challenge to the Capitals' batting lineup, which has struggled against slow bowling this season.Capitals' Spin ResponseThe Capitals, however, have their own spin weapons in Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Patel's economical spell in the high-scoring match against Sunrisers and Yadav's four-wicket haul against Gujarat Titans demonstrate their ability to counter spin.Venue FactorThe match will be played at the Kotla, a ground traditionally known for its short square boundaries and high-scoring matches. This will favor the batters, but the spinners on both sides will need to adapt to the conditions.Team News and Impact PlayersDelhi Capitals will miss Mitchell Marsh due to injury, while Ishant Kumar is doubtful. Prithvi Shaw could be brought in as an impact player, while Jharkhand's Kumar Kushagra is a potential option for extra batting depth.Gujarat Titans may swap Sai Sudharsan and Mohit Sharma as their Impact Player depending on the match situation. Mohit has an impressive economy rate in the death overs.Players in FocusDavid Warner's recent low scores have raised questions about his form, while Jake Fraser-McGurk's powerplay hitting has impressed. Shubman Gill, who had a stellar IPL 2023, has struggled this season, and his performance could be crucial for the Titans' playoff hopes.