22 April,2022 08:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Axar Patel is ecstatic after dismissing Liam Livingstone; (right) Delhi Capitals’ Kuldeep Yadav celebrates the wicket of Punjab Kings’ Nathan Ellis on Wednesday. Pics/BCCI; IPL
Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed 2-24 in Delhi Capitals' nine-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Brabourne Stadium, exhibited another side of his personality on Wednesday night.
Providing a perfect example of sportsmanship, the chinaman bowler gave full credit to left-arm spinner teammate Axar Patel for the victory despite being adjudged player of the match.
During the presentation ceremony, Kuldeep admitted he wanted to share the award with Axar for his spell of 4-0-10-2. Axar's scalps included hard-hitting batsman Liam Livingstone (2) and top-scorer Jitesh Sharma (32). "I wanted to share the man of the match [award] with Axar. He bowled well and took important wickets in the middle overs. I think he deserved the award and so I would like to share this with him," Kuldeep said on Wednesday night.
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Kuldeep, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders earlier, had only five dismissals from 2019 to 2021. But in six IPL-15 games so far for DC, he has 13 victims. Axar revealed how Kuldeep got his confidence and momentum back: "We [DC management] gave him confidence. He was told that he would play all the matches and there was no need to be tense about his performance. He is now focusing on his bowling and the way he is taking wickets, it becomes easy for me to partner him," Axar said during the virtual post-match press conference.
Kuldeep, 27, who has claimed 53 wickets from 51 IPL games, said: "To be honest, I've received confidence in this IPL. I am not thinking too much and now I am very clear mentally. I am just focusing on my length. Yes, a couple of balls may fall short, but I focus on a good length, by bowling the wrong 'un, flipper or incoming rapid ball."
He revealed: "I am not watching videos. When you are highly confused then you watch videos on how batsmen play. I am just focusing on my feel and bowling with rhythm. I am enjoying my bowling after a long time and credit for my wickets goes to [captain] Rishabh Pant for the way
he is backing me," Kuldeep remarked.
