IPL 2022: Kuldeep Yadav speaks about how Rohit Sharma motivated him following match-winning spell against Mumbai Indians

The last few years haven’t been exactly positive for Kuldeep Yadav. The wrist-spinner, once a permanent fixture in the Indian cricket team, has been losing his place in the Indian cricket team slowly but surely as his form has dipped. He also warmed the benches for Kolkata Knight Riders for the majority of IPL 2020 and 2021 which also contributed in him losing his confidence and rhythm.

Delhi Capitals picked him up at the IPL 2022 mega auction for INR 2 crore and Rishabh Pant has already shown more confidence in Kuldeep Yadav than the wrist-spinner’s former IPL franchise. He repaid that faith in his first start of the new IPL season against Mumbai.

Kuldeep picked up three wickets in his spell of four overs and conceded only 18 runs. His spell proved to be match-winning as Delhi Capitals ended up winning the game with four wickets in hand thanks to late fireworks from Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel.

At the post-match presentation ceremony, the 27-year-old also credited Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma for motivating him. Kuldeep also found plenty of support from Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting.

“I got the confidence and Rohit motivated me a lot. Whatever changes need to be done, I had that communication with him.

“And here in the Delhi set up I spoke to Ricky (Ponting) and he backed me a lot. I was lacking rhythm from a long time and I worked on my rhythm a lot and never compromised on turning the ball despite the variation in pace,” he said.

Kuldeep Yadav got the first breakthrough for Delhi Capitals in the match against Mumbai Indians. Rohit Sharma, who had gotten off to a fantastic start with 41 (32), found a fielder in the deep while trying to dispatch Kuldeep’s delivery. The spin bowler then got rid of Anmolpreet Singh in the very next over to give DC the momentum. Kuldeep then returned in the 16^th over to get rid of Kieron Pollard and complete a three-wicket-haul.

The match-winning bowler also credited his physios and trainers at BCCI who helped him recover following a knee surgery he got a few months back. Kuldeep spent months at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru before making a comeback to the Indian team under new captain Rohit Sharma.

“It was a difficult time for me. I was out with injury for five months. It was important for me to go for the rehab and thanks to the facilities and trainers at the NCA, I recovered very well and in time to get back into the Indian set up.”