In order to cause problems for Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals held Kuldeep back

In a thrilling match between the Delhi Capitals and the Rajasthan Royals, Kuldeep Yadav’s 2 for 25 innings helped his team move up to No. 5 in the points standings and won him Player of the Match.

With RR requiring 41 off 18 balls to have a chance at the beginning of the 18th over, chasing 222, Kuldeep claimed two wickets for just four runs, turning the game decisively in DC’s favour.

“It is crucial to bowl at a proper length. Bowling in the final overs is a challenge, particularly when you are aware that they would be facing powerful batters, as Kuldeep stated after the game. “Having played against [Donovan] Ferreira in South Africa, I have seen him. Since I was aware that he was a back-foot player, I simply tried to push it higher. I told him my idea, and I got him the first ball. After that, I was just changing the length and pace.”

Kuldeep’s final delivery saw R Ashwin caught, following his successful review of the not-out leg before wicket ruling against Ferreira on the opening ball of the eighteenth over. In addition, he had only let up 21 runs in his opening three overs, stopping RR’s gathering momentum in the chase.

Rishabh Pant, the captain of DC, stated that the intention was to put one Kuldeep over for RR’s right-handers, Ferreira and Rovman Powell, at the death.

“The thought was always there because for Rovman and Ferreira we wanted to keep that over,” Pant stated. “With Kuldeep, we knew these players would have issues, so we wanted to take that opportunity. It’s wonderful to see that Kuldeep delivered as always.”

In the final two overs, Kuldeep left RR with a huge ask, but Pant noted DC’s fast bowlers were accurate in placing their yorkers. In the 19th over, Mukesh Kumar bowled two while Rasikh Salam bowled four, three of them dot balls to Powell.

“Especially in the back end, the way fast bowlers executed the yorkers [was the turning point],” Pant stated. “I think that was a positive, because the way our fast bowling has been going and the way the tournament is progressing, each and every day the bowlers are coming on the positive side, and that’s good to see.”

This season, Delhi has shown to be a difficult ground for bowlers, as seen by the four games where the first-inning totals have exceeded 220. Out of the four, DC’s 221 versus RR was the lowest. As a bowler, there’s always pressure on you. You attempt to combine your line and length,” Kuldeep remarked. “Picking wickets is a great opportunity, and I took advantage of it. It takes intelligence to read the batter and bowl. It’s best to support your advantages and never give up.”

After their victory on Tuesday, DC is now tied for fifth place in the standings with 12 points, along with CSK, SRH, and LSG in third, fourth, and sixth.