Delhi Capitals (DC) finished their campaign in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season on a positive note, as the Axar Patel-led side secured a comfortable 40-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, May 24 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However, DC have failed to secure a playoff berth despite starting the season on a high.
Kuldeep Yadav's match-winning spell against KKR
DC star spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the star of the game, as he finished the game with the bowing figures of 3/29. The chinaman bowler was given the Player of the Match award for taking key wickets of KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Cameron Green and Rinku Singh.
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It's no secret that Kuldeep endured a difficult season, struggling to take wickets consistently and leaking runs at a higher economy rate. Despite all challenges, the star India spinner has managed to make a strong comeback.
While receiving the POTM award, Kuldeep admitted that he did not perform as per his expectations and struggled throughout the tournament.
“To be very honest, I thought I didn’t have a great season because I was expecting more from myself but couldn’t deliver," said Kudeep.
While talking further, Kuldeep revealed that after DC's last game he went back to his native place and worked with his coach to rectify mistakes in his technique. The chinaman bowler revealed that he was bowling with a far open chest action which reduced the effectiveness of his spin.
"After the last game, I went back home and worked with my coach on the things I needed to improve. It was just the small things you forget very quickly, especially in white-ball cricket," revealed Kuldeep.
“Once you start using more of your body and try to spin the ball harder, ultimately you see the results. You get the dip and the drift and obviously you can vary the pace as well," added Kuldeep.
How Kuldeep Yadav has fared in IPL 2026
Kuldeep Yadav endured a difficult season with DC in the ongoing IPL 2026 season as compared to his standards. Yet somehow, Kuldeep Yadav managed to finish the season with a glimpse of his vintage form.
Kuldeep finished the season with 10 wickets in 11 matches, at an economy rate of 10.66 and a bowling average of 50.28. Notably, his match-winning spell of 3/29 against KKR was his best performance of the season.