"I Still Regret My Time In KKR, Now I Am Matured To Dictate Terms" - Kuldeep Yadav Recalls His Struggle At KKR

Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has finally evolved into a formidable player for both India and Delhi Capitals. However, in 2019, the left-arm wrist spinner felt the necessity of a guiding presence as he struggled with form during his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Following his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery in 2020, Kuldeep's career took a positive turn after joining the Delhi Capitals. Ahead of their home game against Gujarat Titans, Kuldeep Yadav has opened up for the first time about his initial days at KKR. Kuldeep had a horrible time at Kolkata Knight Riders due to his poor bowling and was eventually dropped from the team. Kuldeep's confidence was very low during the 2019-2021 seasons. The witty spinner made a triumphant return to the IPL after he joined Delhi Capitals.

Matured Kuldeep Yadav recalls his struggles at KKR

Ahead of their home game against Gujarat Titans, Kuldeep Yadav has opened up for the first time about his initial days at KKR. Delhi Capitals (DC) spinner Kuldeep Yadav has expressed his regret over not performing to his full potential with Kolkata Knight Riders from the 2016 to 2021 season. The left-arm wrist spinner, picked up by Delhi Capitals for INR 2 crore in the IPL 2022 mega-auction, has been a top performer for the franchise, picking 41 wickets in just 33 matches since joining the team. Injuries, loss of form, and low confidence played a huge role in the dip in his performance, as he was eventually dropped from the playing XI. Kuldeep also spoke about his recent success in taking on challenges head-on.

"I still regret my time in KKR (from 2016-2020) and feel whatever I am doing now, wish I could have done it back then. It still hurts me that had I worked on those skills back then, I could have dominated even more. I believed in my skills but then at the same time I needed to understand how the batter is playing and that maturity has come, knowing my strength and where to bowl so that it is difficult to hit, and I am working on that," Kuldeep said at a media event organised by DC.

Maturity has had a positive effect on him over the years. The 29-year-old wrist spinner admitted to a lack of maturity and needing guidance after his former Indian captain MS Dhoni retired in 2020. Kuldeep blamed the lack of experience for his failure but agreed that it made him a better player in the future. One can see that the move to the Delhi-based franchise under Rishabh Pant's leadership has kickstarted his career yet again. However, Kuldeep Yadav agreed that failures made him a better player.

"In KKR, I needed guidance but now I don't need it, as now I dictate terms. In 2019, Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni, his national team mentor) retired that year, and I needed guidance. The idea that I have now has come with experience. When you encounter failure in life, then only you learn, and now I am more confident about my skills and at the same time respectful of the fact that opposition can be good too," Kuldeep concluded.

Kuldeep Yadav has been in phenomenal form in the IPL 2024 season. The star Indian wrist spinner has taken 10 wickets in 5 matches and is in the race for the purple cap. However, the Impact player rule had a bigger hand in the IPL 2024 season's significant increase in high scores. Five of the six highest totals ever recorded in the IPL history have occurred during this season. Delhi Capitals will be mindful of what Gujarat Titans batters are capable of when they face in their next match of IPL 2024 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.