Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani has urged Kuldeep Yadav to find the level that once made him one of the premier wrist spinners in T20 cricket, with the franchise’s IPL 2026 playoff ambitions now hanging in the balance after a defeat to Chennai Super Kings. Chasing a target of 155, DC managed to create some early pressure during the powerplay, but the moment Kuldeep came on to chase a breakthrough, it didn’t go to plan. Jos Buttler’s early spark wasn’t the story—rather, Rajasthan’s Samson took charge of the spell, smashing Kuldeep for three sixes across his three overs, which cost 34 runs. Instead of tightening the contest, Kuldeep’s spell loosened the grip, and CSK ultimately cruised past the target with 17.3 overs still to spare.
Badani’s message is rooted in a broader concern about Kuldeep’s season. While Kuldeep’s overall IPL run-rate has typically hovered around eight, this year it has moved above 10, and the wickets have been harder to come by. Across 10 matches, he has claimed only seven scalps, a return that falls well short of the impact DC expected from a frontline spinner.
Speaking on Kuldeep’s situation, Badani made it clear the team will back him through the rough patch. “We would ideally want Kuldeep to be better than this. But we will rally around him. He’s been somebody who’s been a part of this side for many many years. He’s done well for many many years. He can turn this around,” the coach said.
Even captain Axar Patel echoed that sentiment, referring to Kuldeep as a “partner” while suggesting the side misses the balance he usually brings when in rhythm. Kuldeep’s struggles have been compounded by availability as well; he missed a large chunk of the games during the preceding T20 World Cup, before returning to IPL action without the expected sharpness.
On whether the problem is tied to form or timing, Badani leaned toward the latter. “I think it’s more the case of just about somebody’s striking form. He hasn’t struck peak form yet. He hasn’t bowled at the speeds that he would normally bowl. And I think it’s a question of time. I mean, we have the faith in him.” Badani also underlined the urgency facing DC, framing the remaining games as a do-or-die stretch. “And more than anything else, it’s crunch time for us. It’s quite simple for us. It’s more like a knockout tournament for us right now. We have to win 4 out 4. And with 4 out 4, we still have a chance to qualify,” he added.
