Cricket

Kuldeep Yadav's resurgence as a formidable spinner has been a testament to his unwavering determination and the guidance he has received along the way. After a challenging period with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Kuldeep found a new lease of life at the Delhi Capitals, where he has honed his skills under the watchful eye of coach Kapil Pandey.Since joining DC, Kuldeep has emerged as the team's first-choice spinner, claiming 41 wickets in 33 matches. His transformation has been attributed to the hard work he has put in, developing new skills and refining his technique.Kuldeep credits his success to the support he has received from his coaches and mentors, including MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. He acknowledges that his experience with failure has been a valuable lesson, teaching him the importance of adaptability and respect for the opposition.The left-arm wrist spinner has also undergone a physical transformation, changing his run-up and increasing the pace on his delivery. This has resulted in more drift and prodigious turn in his break-backs.Kuldeep's maturity has also played a significant role in his resurgence. He has learned to understand his strengths and weaknesses, and to bowl to the batter's strengths.Despite his success, Kuldeep remains humble and grateful for the opportunities he has been given. He is determined to continue improving his game and contribute to the success of his team and the Indian national side.

The T20 World Cup 2024 is fast approaching, and the excitement is building for another thrilling tournament. The upcoming edition will be hosted by the West Indies and the United States, with the pitches in the Caribbean expected to favor slower bowlers and spinners.India, one of the favorites for the title, will be looking to select a strong spin attack to complement their formidable batting lineup. Here's a closer look at five spinners who are vying for spots in the Indian team:Kuldeep Yadav:Kuldeep Yadav has been in excellent form for India across formats and is a likely inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. The left-arm wrist spinner has an impressive T20I record, with 59 wickets in 35 games at an average of 14.10 and an economy of 6.74. He has also performed well in IPL 2024, taking six wickets in four games.Yuzvendra Chahal:Yuzvendra Chahal was not initially considered a strong contender for the T20 World Cup squad, but his exceptional performances in IPL 2024 have put him in the reckoning. The right-arm leg break bowler is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 12 scalps in seven games. He is one shy of claiming 200 IPL wickets and has a strong T20I record with 96 wickets in 80 games.Ravi Bishnoi:Ravi Bishnoi has represented India in 24 T20Is, claiming 36 wickets. However, he faces stiff competition for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. He has not had the best of IPL seasons, taking only four wickets in six games. A strong finish to the IPL season could improve his chances, but his inclusion in the squad seems unlikely at the moment.Ravindra Jadeja:All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is almost certain to be included in the T20 World Cup squad. A highly skilled left-arm orthodox spinner, Jadeja has taken 53 T20I wickets at an economy of 7.10. His batting prowess and exceptional fielding ability make him a valuable asset to the team.Axar Patel:All-rounder Axar Patel is another spin option for India. He has claimed 49 wickets in T20Is at an economy of 7.26. However, his similarities with Ravindra Jadeja, who is a better batter and fielder, make his inclusion in the squad less likely. Axar could force his way into contention with a strong IPL 2024 season, but his current form (five wickets in seven games) is not encouraging.

Delhi Capitals (DC) emerged victorious in their second match of IPL 2024, defeating Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets on Friday. Opting to bat first, LSG posted a competitive 167/7 in 20 overs, with Ayush Badoni anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 55.DC's chase was spearheaded by a strong partnership between skipper Rishabh Pant (41) and debutant Jake Frazer-McGurk (55). However, Pant's bizarre dismissal caught everyone's attention. Attempting a big hit, he stepped out of the crease and missed the ball, which went straight to wicketkeeper KL Rahul. As Pant missed the shot, his bat slipped off his hands and hit Rahul behind the stumps, resulting in a timely stumping.Despite losing Pant, DC remained composed, with Tristan Stubbs (15*) and Shai Hope (11*) guiding the team to victory in 18.1 overs. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav was adjudged Player of the Match for his impressive figures of 3/20 in four overs."We wanted a win badly," said Pant after the victory. "We need to think like champions and keep fighting hard."DC's next challenge will be against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on April 17, while LSG will face Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on Sunday.

Kuldeep Yadav's Three-Wicket Haul Powers Delhi Capitals to Victory Over Lucknow Super GiantsDelhi Capitals' wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav made a triumphant return to the side after a three-match absence due to a groin injury, claiming three crucial wickets in the IPL 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants.Yadav's economical spell of 4-0-20-3 proved instrumental in restricting Lucknow to a modest total of 167/7. The left-arm spinner struck twice in his opening over, dismissing Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran on consecutive deliveries.Stoinis' dismissal came off a well-flighted delivery that induced a leading edge, while Pooran was bamboozled by a straighter delivery that uprooted his off stump. Yadav's third wicket came in the form of KL Rahul, who was caught off guard by a quicker delivery and departed for 39.Despite Yadav's early strikes, Lucknow fought back valiantly, led by Ayush Badoni's quick-fire unbeaten half-century. Badoni smashed 55 runs off just 35 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes, to help his team recover from a precarious position.However, Delhi's bowlers held their nerve in the face of Badoni's onslaught, with Shardul Thakur and Mustafizur Rahman claiming two wickets each. The Capitals' fielding was also sharp, with Rishabh Pant taking a stunning catch to dismiss Deepak Hooda.In the end, Delhi's disciplined bowling and fielding proved too much for Lucknow, who fell short of their target by 10 runs. The victory was a crucial one for the Capitals, who moved up to third place in the IPL standings.

Veteran Indian wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has hinted at a possible retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the end of the ongoing 2024 season. Karthik, who is currently playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will see his contract expire at the conclusion of this season, as the competition will have a mega auction next.In a recent interview, Karthik discussed his possible future and took a sly dig at former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi for his multiple retirements and comebacks. "Unless you are Shahid Afridi (on retirement), but in most cases, once it's done, it's done," Karthik said.Karthik also revealed two big regrets of his IPL career: not being retained by Mumbai Indians in the 2014 season and never playing for Chennai Super Kings despite being a local boy. "I think I missed the opportunity; they were keen on me not playing for the Super Kings because I am from Chennai. They have always bid for me but could never get me," Karthik said.Karthik, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2018-20, admitted to having some "tough conversations" with spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who had to stay benched after taking just four wickets in nine games in the 2019 season. Karthik revealed that Yadav was not performing as well as he is now and that he had to be "honest" with him. He expressed happiness at Yadav's progress since then, saying that he has become a better bowler and a "world-beater."Karthik also spoke about the challenges of leading a franchise. "Leading a franchise is altogether a different job. There are many other cultures, and you will find it challenging to deal with other individuals. You can be very honest with them. As a leader, you will lose out on certain friendships," he said.

Amidst the ongoing speculation surrounding Virat Kohli's potential exclusion from India's T20 World Cup squad, former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has expressed his unwavering belief that the star batter will retain his place in the team.Kaneria dismissed the rumors circulating on social media, emphasizing that such platforms should not be taken seriously. He firmly stated that Kohli's inclusion is imperative, given his consistent run-scoring and invaluable experience."How can you ignore him (Virat)? He should be in India's squad. He has been scoring runs, it is not a time to look beyond Kohli, it is a time to have Kohli in your squad, who can also groom youngsters," Kaneria told IANS.Kohli's last T20I appearance was in January against Afghanistan, where he scored 29 and 0 in two matches. However, Kaneria believes that these performances should not overshadow his overall contributions.In addition to Kohli, Kaneria also lauded the resurgence of chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. He noted Yadav's regained confidence and improved performance, encouraging him to continue building on his momentum.Looking ahead to the upcoming IPL season, Kaneria urged the BCCI and franchises to prioritize the workload management of key players, especially to prevent injuries to the likes of Jasprit Bumrah. He also highlighted the importance of nurturing emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal.Expressing his desire to contribute to the game, Kaneria expressed his willingness to return to the field as a coach. He welcomed the opportunity to work with any IPL team, particularly to mentor young spinners and contribute to the development of the next generation of cricketers.

Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid has shed light on the decision to include Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the second Test against England, despite the absence of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Dravid explained that the team's focus on taking all 20 wickets prompted them to opt for a specialist spinner over an all-rounder."When I saw Axar batting at No. 6, I remember looking at Vikram (Rathour) and thinking, 'Jeez, VVS (Laxman) used to walk out at that position'," Dravid said. "With due respect to Axar, he is a lovely player, but that's the bottom line of what me and Rohit have always spoken about. That's what wins you Tests... being able to take 20 wickets as quickly as possible."Dravid praised the team's young talent for stepping up in the absence of senior players like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. "It does make you feel really proud and happy for the way the team's evolved, the team's grown and just happy for the boys," he said.Despite losing the first Test, India bounced back to clinch the series 4-1, showcasing the depth and resilience of the team. Dravid's decision to prioritize wicket-taking over all-round balance proved to be a winning formula, as Kuldeep Yadav played a crucial role in the team's success.The inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI highlights the team's commitment to attacking bowling and their belief in the importance of taking wickets. Dravid's decision to prioritize wicket-taking over all-round balance has paid off, as India has emerged victorious in the Test series against England.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the Player-of-the-Series in the recently concluded five-Test rubber against England, attributed his remarkable success to his fearless approach as an opener. Jaiswal amassed 712 runs, including two centuries and three fifties, averaging 89 and striking at 80."My mindset was to attack the bowlers and not back down," Jaiswal stated during the post-series presentation. "I wanted to put pressure on them from the outset."Despite his historic achievement, Jaiswal remains grounded. "I'm trying to take it one game at a time and focus on contributing to the team's success," he said.Skipper Rohit Sharma echoed the need for humility and focus. "Yashasvi has a long way to go, but his talent is undeniable," Sharma said. "He's a tough competitor who thrives on challenges."Kuldeep Yadav, who was named Player of the Match for his seven-wicket haul and a crucial 30 down the order, emphasized the importance of maintaining a good length. "I focused on keeping the ball on a good length, which is essential for a spinner in this format," he explained.Yadav singled out his dismissals of Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley as his favorites from the series. "I bowled well in Ranchi, and the Stokes wicket was a highlight," he said. "I also enjoyed the Crawley wicket in Dharamsala, where I bowled a beautiful ball."Sharma praised Kuldeep's work ethic. "He's a player with immense potential," Sharma said. "He's put in a lot of effort, and his improved batting is a testament to his dedication."

Kuldeep Yadav, the wily chinaman bowler, has emerged as an unlikely batting hero for India in the ongoing Test series against England. Despite being primarily known for his spin prowess, Yadav has made significant contributions with the bat, bolstering India's lower order and frustrating English bowlers.In the first innings of the fifth and final Test, Yadav's 30 off 69 balls proved crucial. His lengthy stay at the crease allowed India to extend their lead to 259 runs, putting England on the back foot. Yadav's 49-run partnership with Jasprit Bumrah (20) further solidified India's position.Throughout the series, Yadav has faced 362 balls, more than several established English batters. His ability to occupy the crease and contribute valuable runs has been a major factor in India's dominance. Yadav's 97 runs at an average of 19.4 may not be eye-catching, but their impact has been undeniable.Yadav's batting prowess has been particularly evident in crucial situations. In the third Test, his 27 runs allowed Shubman Gill to play freely and score 91, setting the stage for Yashasvi Jaiswal's double century. In the fourth Test, Yadav's 28 runs and 76-run stand with Dhruv Jurel helped India recover from a precarious position.With his contributions with both bat and ball (18 wickets), Yadav has emerged as a strong contender for the Player of the Series award. His ability to provide runs and wickets makes him a valuable asset to the Indian team, especially with senior spin-bowling all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja nearing the end of their careers.