xtratime Logo

Xtra Time Web Desk: Kuldeep Yadav proves a point for his new team Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 opening match against Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

Kuldeep Yadav had been frustrated warming the benches over the last 2 seasons for Kolkata Knight Riders as he found it difficult to break into the side that had Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. He did not play a single match in 2021 and only 14 over the 2020 and 2019 seasons for KKR.

Kuldeep picked up 3 wickets, including that of Rohit Sharma (41) and Kieron Pollard (3), as he repaid the faith shown in him by the Delhi franchise. Kuldeep got his lengths spot on and bowled quicker than usual, giving away just 18 runs in his 4-over spell.

Heaping rich praise on Kuldeep, newly-appointed Delhi assistant coach Shane Watson said the India spinner looked determined and worked hard at their preparatory camp.

"He (Kuldeep) has got great skills, as we have always seen. But he is very hungry, we can see by the way he has bowled today. He is hungry to really prove a point. He has got skills, he is now looking to execute it against these world-class Mumbai batters in a high-pressure situation," Watson told Star Sports.

"He is a highly-skilled bowler in all conditions. It doesn't have to turn for him. He has got his variations, especially his wrong'un. He has got his length spot on. His pace, he is bowling a little bit quicker. So I am excited about what we have seen in the lead up to the first game but also about what he is producing in the middle for us," he added.