Delhi Capitals' (DC) Kuldeep Yadav has joined the IPL 2024's Purple Cap's fray with a crucial two-wicket haul in his team's win against the Gujarat Titans (GT). Kuldeep's spell of 2/29 not only helped secure a thrilling four-run victory for DC, but also propelled him into the top five of the coveted Purple Cap race. Yadav's performance against GT brings his season tally to 12 wickets, tying him with CSK's Mustafizur Rahman and MI's Gerald Coetzee. However, Kuldeep boasts a superior economy rate of 7.62, which elevates him to the coveted fourth position.
The top three spots on the Purple Cap leaderboard remain a tight contest. Jasprit Bumrah of MI continues to hold the top spot, followed closely by Yuzvendra Chahal of RR and Harshal Patel of PBKS, each with 13 wickets to their name.
Yadav entered the attack after the powerplay, a crucial time period after DC set a formidable target of 224/4. He, along with his fellow spinners, effectively stifled the GT batting lineup, who had otherwise started briskly with 67 runs in the powerplay. Yadav delivered a telling blow in his second over, dismissing the experienced Wriddhiman Saha. He capped off his impressive outing with another crucial wicket, dismissing the dangerous Rahul Tewatia for just 4 runs in the final ball of his 16th over.
This is how IPL 2024's Purple Cap race is shaping up after DC vs GT's clash:
POSITION | NAME | TEAM | WICKETS | MATCHES | RUNS | AVERAGE | ECONOMY |
| 1 | Jasprit Bumrah | MI | 13 | 8 | 204 | 15.69 | 6.37 |
| 2 | Yuzvendra Chahal | RR | 13 | 8 | 265 | 20.38 | 8.83 |
| 3 | Harshal Patel | PBKS | 13 | 6 | 278 | 21.38 | 9.58 |
| 4 | Kuldeep Yadav | DC | 12 | 6 | 183 | 15.25 | 7.62 |
| 5 | Mustafizur Rahman | CSK | 12 | 7 | 277 | 23.08 | 10.07 |
| 6 | Gerald Coetzee | MI | 12 | 7 | 288 | 24.00 | 10.10 |
| 7 | Matheesha Pathirana | CSK | 11 | 5 | 152 | 13.81 | 7/60 |
| 8 | Sam Curran | PBKS | 11 | 8 | 211 | 19.18 | 8.79 |
| 9 | T Natarajan | SRH | 10 | 5 | 170 | 17.0 | 8.50 |
| 10 | Kagiso Rabada | PBKS | 10 | 8 | 273 | 27.30 | 8.53 |
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Kuldeep shines as DC secure narrow victory
Kuldeep Yadav's timely bowling played a vital role in Delhi Capitals' thrilling four-run victory over the Gujarat Titans. His two crucial wickets helped contain GT within reach of DC's massive total.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals set a daunting target of 224 runs for 4 wickets in their must-win encounter. The foundation for this impressive score was laid by a blistering 113-run partnership between skipper Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel, achieved in a mere 68 balls. Both batsmen reached impressive half-centuries at a rapid pace.
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Pant leads the charge
Rishabh Pant led from the front, remaining unbeaten on a belligerent 88 runs off just 43 deliveries. His knock, laced with five boundaries and eight towering sixes, served as a timely reminder to national selectors ahead of the upcoming World T20 match against Pakistan in New York, barring any unforeseen fitness issues. Pant displayed exceptional maturity, pacing his innings brilliantly alongside Axar Patel, who chipped in with a valuable 66 runs off 43 balls himself. Axar's contribution included five fours and four sixes.
Pant started cautiously but grew increasingly confident as the innings progressed. He unleashed his trademark shots – powerful leg-side flicks, cuts, and pulls – to accumulate runs quickly. His fifty came in style with a six over long-on off Mohit Sharma's bowling. This confidence culminated in a late onslaught in the final over, where Pant took apart the veteran bowler, smashing four sixes and a four to amass a staggering 31 runs from the last six deliveries. Despite valiant efforts from Sai Sudarshan (65 runs off 29 balls) and David Miller (55 runs off 23 balls), the Gujarat Titans chase ultimately fell short. Even a late cameo of 21 runs from 11 balls by Rashid Khan proved insufficient, as GT ended their innings at 220 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
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