
Kuldeep Yadav has turned in another fine performance for the Delhi Capitals, once more against his former franchise Kolkata Knight Riders in their fixture on Thursday. His 4-14 ripped a crater through KKR, leaving them reeling at 86 for six.
KKR had a difficult powerplay, managing only 29 runs while losing both their openers for low scores. Aaron Finch was bowled by Chetan Sakariya in the second over, and Venkatesh Iyer’s poor run of form continued when he was dismissed by Axar Patel after scoring 6 runs from 12 balls. When Kuldeep was introduced in the 8th over, the stage was set with KKR trying to rebuild at 34 for 2.
At the end of his six balls, KKR were reduced to four down for 37 and desperate. Kuldeep took two wickets in successive balls, the first that of Baba Indrajith, whose debut didn’t go quite the way he would’ve liked as he was dismissed for 6 (8). Sunil Narine was next, removed by lbw for a golden duck – his form has been woeful for KKR, scoring only 27 runs from five innings.
Kuldeep Yadav now has 18 IPL wickets in 2022, second highest after Yuzvendra Chahal
Kuldeep’s next over went for 10 runs while Nitish Rana and Shreyas Iyer tried to regroup, piecing together a 48-run stand off 34 balls. But Kuldeep himself was the one to finally break the partnership that was threatening ot get KKR back on track; his fighting 42 off 38 balls came to an abrupt end after he bottom edged a wide delivery into Rishabh Pant’s gloves. He also ensured Andre Russell lasted no more than three balls, and didn’t trouble the scorers. A couple of balls after Shreyas’ dismissal, Russell came downing the pitch, completely missed the ball and was stumped by a fumbling Pant.
Kuldeep didn’t bowl out, but he’d made the impact DC wanted, picking up the four crucial wickets of Inrajith, Narine, the in-form Shreyas and dangerous Russell. He gave away only 14 runs in his three overs at an economy rate of 4.2.
W,4,W,W,1,W,W by Kuldeep Yadav in last 7 balls against KKR.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 28, 2022
Kuldeep Yadav has more wickets in 27 balls against KKR this season (six) than he did in 270 balls for KKR across 2019 and 2020 (five).
— Yash Jha (@jhayash) April 28, 2022
Just as a cricket aficionado, Kuldeep Yadav returning to form makes me feel happy.
Found it difficult to watch him lose the plot for a while. And then that injury.#IPL2022
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) April 28, 2022
The magician KULDEEP YADAV 💙
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) April 28, 2022
Kuldeep and Chahal's return to form augurs very well for India. The guileful spin duo will play an essential role in the ODI WC next year.
— Sparsh Telang (@_cricketsparsh) April 28, 2022
Kuldeep!!! My man!!
Shame on KKR for wasting 3 yrs of this Champion— ArnavTalksCricket🏏🇮🇳 (@TweetsByArnav) April 28, 2022
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