The Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack received a much-needed shot in the arm with the return of wily spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Yadav, who missed the previous three matches due to a groin injury, wasted no time in proving his worth, claiming three crucial wickets against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Friday night.
Immediate Impact with Two Wickets in First Over
Introduced in the eighth over with LSG looking well-set at 72/2, Kuldeep made an instant impact. Sensing an attacking intent from Marcus Stoinis, Yadav cleverly tossed the ball wide, tempting the Australian all-rounder into a miscued shot. Ishant Sharma at short third pouch the resulting top edge, sending Stoinis back to the pavilion.
The bigger scalp, however, was yet to come. In walked Nicholas Pooran, known for his explosive batting this season. Little did Pooran know what was in store for him. Kuldeep unleashed a perfect googly, a delivery that spun sharply away from the left-hander. Pooran, completely deceived by the flight and dip, played for the wrong line, resulting in the ball clattering into his stumps for a golden duck. The dismissal was so impactful that it even led to a temporary break in the game as the damaged ball needed replacing.
Rahul Departs After Review, Turning Point for DC
Kuldeep wasn’t finished yet. He nearly dismissed LSG skipper KL Rahul with the last delivery of his first over, but the ball pitched marginally outside leg stump. Undeterred, Yadav continued his impressive spell and got his revenge in his next over. This time, a flatter delivery that turned away from Rahul induced a leading edge from the batsman. Â
The on-field umpire turned down the appeal, but a confident Rishabh Pant, the DC captain, opted for a review. The replays confirmed a clear edge, sending Rahul back for 39 runs, just as he was starting to look dangerous.
Importance of Kuldeep’s Spell
Kuldeep’s three-wicket haul proved to be a turning point in the match. While Khaleel Ahmed’s early double strike provided the initial breakthrough, it was Yadav’s dismissal of the well-set Rahul that truly dented LSG’s momentum. His ability to deceive batsmen with his variations put the brakes on the LSG scoring rate and opened the door for a potential DC comeback.
Kuldeep Yadav’s performance served as a beacon of hope for the struggling Delhi Capitals. His return to form not only bolstered their bowling attack but also displayed the kind of impact he can have on the team’s fortunes. Whether DC can capitalize on this momentum and turn their season around remains to be seen, but Yadav’s return has undoubtedly provided a much-needed spark.
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