Ahead of the Delhi Capitals' crucial must-win encounter against the Punjab Kings on Monday, May 11, former Indian pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji shared his analysis of Kuldeep Yadav's recent form. Speaking from the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, Balaji highlighted a concerning lack of support for DC’s spin department. While skipper Axar Patel has managed to maintain a tight economy rate, his partner Kuldeep has struggled significantly, managing only seven wickets across 11 matches with a high average of 50.29 and an expensive economy rate of 10.67.
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Lakshmipathy Balaji on Kuldeep Yadav's dip in form
Balaji suggested that the left-arm wrist spinner's dip in form might be linked to the physical and mental demands of the recent T20 World Cup. Although Kuldeep did not feature in every game during the tournament, Balaji noted that being part of such a high-pressure marquee event can lead to lingering fatigue.
This lack of penetration has had a direct impact on the Capitals' overall performance in IPL 2026. The 44-year-old analyst emphasized that Kuldeep's inability to break partnerships and secure breakthroughs during the middle overs has left the team vulnerable, placing additional strain on the rest of the bowling attack during critical phases of the game.
"Axar Patel has been extremely economical. Kuldeep Yadav has not met expectations in the wickets column. He is probably fatigued after the T20 World Cup, despite not playing so many matches there. Wickets in the middle overs are too important in modern-day T20 cricket. That's what's been missing with DC because of Kuldeep's form," Balaji said on Star Sports.
Lack of stability in DC's batting line-up
Balaji further identified deep-seated issues within the Capitals' roster, shifting his focus from the bowling struggles to the vulnerabilities in their batting department. The cricketer-turned-expert pointed out that the lineup has been plagued by significant inconsistency throughout the 2026 season.
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According to Balaji, the DC batters have failed to provide a reliable platform, often following up strong individual performances with collective collapses. This lack of stability at the crease has made it difficult for the team to build momentum or chase down competitive totals, emerging as a primary reason for their precarious position in the standings.
"Nissanka has been hit and miss. Sameer Rizvi got off to a brilliant start this season. But he has lacked consistency. If you only perform in two out of ten games, it won't help the team much. They traded in for Nitish Rana, but he hasn't been that valuable in their batting order. Stubbs and Miller have also not delivered," he added.