Kuldeep Yadav Regrets Time at KKR, Needed Mentor Like MS Dhoni

Kuldeep Yadav, the Indian cricketer, has expressed regret over his time at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He believes he needed a mentor like MS Dhoni during his IPL 2024 match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans. Kuldeep felt that he lacked the guidance and support he needed to develop his skills and reach his full potential during his time with KKR.

Kuldeep's comments came after a match between his current team, Delhi Capitals, and the Gujarat Titans. Despite his disappointment with KKR, Kuldeep has been able to find success with the Delhi Capitals, where he has been able to showcase his skills and contribute to the team's performance. In the IPL 2024 match against Gujarat Titans, Kuldeep took two wickets for Delhi Capitals, who won the match by four runs while chasing a mammoth total of 225 runs set by Delhi Capitals.

Kuldeep struggled to perform consistently for KKR, managing only 4 wickets in 9 matches in 2019 and 1 wicket in 5 games. He believes that had he worked on his skills back then, he could have dominated even more. "I needed guidance, someone like MS Dhoni, during that time, but I didn't get that at KKR," Kuldeep said. "I did not realize my potential there. Had I worked on my skills back then, I could have dominated even more."

However, things turned around for Kuldeep when he joined Delhi Capitals in 2022, where he was backed by coach Ricky Ponting and had a successful season. Kuldeep has since regained his form and confidence, and has become Rohit Sharma's go-to spinner in the Indian team, overtaking Yuzvendra Chahal and even Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the pecking order.

Why this matters: Kuldeep Yadav's comments shed light on the importance of mentorship and guidance for young cricketers in the high-pressure environment of the IPL. His experience also highlights how a change in team and support staff can significantly impact a player's performance and confidence.

Kuldeep attributed his recent success to the maturity and experience he has gained over the years, which has helped him better understand his strengths and how to bowl effectively against different batters. He acknowledged that the lack of guidance, especially after Dhoni's retirement in 2020, was a factor in his struggles at KKR, but he believes that the failures have made him a better player. Kuldeep is currently in phenomenal form in the IPL 2024 season, having taken 10 wickets in 5 matches, and is in the race for the purple cap.

Key Takeaways

• Kuldeep Yadav regrets lack of guidance during his time at KKR in IPL
• Kuldeep believes he could have performed better with a mentor like MS Dhoni
• Kuldeep found success at Delhi Capitals, where he was backed by coach Ricky Ponting
• Kuldeep has regained form and become India's go-to spinner, overtaking Chahal, Jadeja, Ashwin
• Kuldeep's experience highlights importance of mentorship for young cricketers in high-pressure IPL