Indian cricket has witnessed a substantial enhancement in Kuldeep Yadav’s proficiency not just with his signature spinning deliveries but also with the willow in hand. The improvement in his batting technique came during a critical time—the five-match Test series against England, held in India from January to March this year. Kuldeep’s evolution as a batsman can be attributed to the guidance and mentorship of the national team’s captain, Rohit Sharma. This revelation was made by the young spinner himself while addressing the press in Delhi prior to an Indian Premier League (IPL) match, where his team, Delhi Capitals (DC), was scheduled to face the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
In what culminated as a triumphant series for India, securing a 4-1 victory against the English side, Kuldeep Yadav’s contribution was significant. His prowess was not limited to his expected bowling performances; he also emerged as a surprise package in the batting lineup. Indeed, Kuldeep claimed 19 wickets across four games, which included a stunning five-wicket haul. Even more noteworthy was his batting output, where he amassed 97 runs in six innings, boasting an average of 19.40 with a top score of 30. Frequently finding himself in game-defining situations, Kuldeep displayed commendable batting resilience. He exhibited a defensive technique solid enough to anchor one end, thereby allowing his partners at the crease to play more aggressively, chasing down critical totals for either saving or winning matches.
Furthermore, during DC’s IPL clash with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens on May 29, Kuldeep Yadav once again shone with the bat. He remained unbeaten, scoring a valuable 35 runs in just 26 balls, an innings that included five boundaries and a six. Despite DC’s defeat and a final team score of 153/9, Kuldeep’s contribution was the highest for his team, underscoring his growing versatility as a reliable batsman.
Kuldeep was forthcoming about the captain’s role in boosting his batting capabilities. “Rohit bhai does not trouble me much about my bowling. Since I am fulfilling his expectations with the ball, his concerns are more about my batting,” Kuldeep recounted. “He would advise me to hone my batting skills. I put in a lot of work on this aspect during the Test series against England at home,” he added. The young spinner expressed that Rohit Sharma’s presence and guidance during net practice sessions played a major part in improving his understanding of the nuanced skills of batting. This support from the skipper has been a significant factor in Kuldeep’s ability to now relish batting as much as he enjoys his bowling.
As the IPL progresses, all eyes will be on the Delhi Capitals as they go up against the Rajasthan Royals. Occupying the sixth slot with five wins and six losses, Delhi Capitals hold 10 points in the tournament so far. On the other hand, RR is in a more favorable position, securing the second spot with eight victories and only two defeats, amassing 16 points in total. Coming off a disappointing seven-wicket loss to KKR, DC will be keen on a turnaround, while RR will be looking to bounce back from their setback against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
The upcoming match promises to be a clash of titans with both teams boasting strong squads filled with players capable of turning the game around on their day. As Delhi Capitals prepare for the game, with Kuldeep Yadav as a key player, fans will be eager to see if the spinner can continue his newfound form with the bat and sustain his wicket-taking abilities, contributing to his team’s quest for success in the IPL 2024 season.