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\u2019s 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\u2019t go to plan. Jos Buttler\u2019s early spark wasn\u2019t the story\u2014rather, Rajasthan\u2019s 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\u2019s spell loosened the grip, and CSK ultimately cruised past the target with 17.3 overs still to spare.<\/p>\n
Badani\u2019s message is rooted in a broader concern about Kuldeep\u2019s season. While Kuldeep\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Kuldeep\u2019s situation, Badani made it clear the team will back him through the rough patch. \u201cWe would ideally want Kuldeep to be better than this. But we will rally around him. He\u2019s been somebody who\u2019s been a part of this side for many many years. He\u2019s done well for many many years. He can turn this around,\u201d the coach said.<\/p>\n
Even captain Axar Patel echoed that sentiment, referring to Kuldeep as a \u201cpartner\u201d while suggesting the side misses the balance he usually brings when in rhythm. Kuldeep\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
On whether the problem is tied to form or timing, Badani leaned toward the latter. \u201cI think it\u2019s more the case of just about somebody\u2019s striking form. He hasn\u2019t struck peak form yet. He hasn\u2019t bowled at the speeds that he would normally bowl. And I think it\u2019s a question of time. I mean, we have the faith in him.\u201d Badani also underlined the urgency facing DC, framing the remaining games as a do-or-die stretch. \u201cAnd more than anything else, it\u2019s crunch time for us. It\u2019s quite simple for us. It\u2019s 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7862,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Badani Urges Kuldeep to Reclaim Best Form","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"DC head coach Hemang Badani pushes Kuldeep Yadav to rediscover his best form after a tough loss to CSK, as IPL 2026 playoff hopes fade.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n