Former India player Mohammad Kaif has shared that Rishabh Pant has played a significant role in Kuldeep Yadav’s stunning form with the ball in IPL 2022. Yadav returned with the figures of 2/24 for the Delhi Capitals (DC) in last night’s Indian Premier League encounter against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). He was chosen as the Player of the Match for the control and guile he exhibited during his spell. During a discussion on Star Sports, Mohammad Kaif was asked if Pant’s presence as skipper has helped Yadav on the emotional front.
He replied: “Rishabh Pant is also an emotional person, very few people know that. He thinks from the heart. He knows how to use the players. I was there last year, Rishabh Pant was the one who made Avesh Khan and Rishabh Pant is making Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep has been told to go after the wickets, generally captains ask the bowlers to bowl tightly. He (Pant) is telling – ‘You are a wicket-taker, you give 10 extra runs but give me three wickets in the middle overs’.”
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Mohammad Kaif further added that Kuldeep Yadav will have a stunning show in IPL 2022 as he has got the ideal captain in Pant. He also gave the example of Yadav excelling when he had the influence of MS Dhoni behind the wickets. Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan also praised his bowling. Kuldeep Yadav is the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2022 so far with 13 scalps to his name, after Yuzvendra Chahal, who has claimed 17 wickets in the six matches as well.
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He explained: “It is enjoyable to watch every time he (Kuldeep) comes to bowl. His pace has improved, bowls in good areas and has started to use the angles. He used to bowl very less from round the wicket but he is doing that now. He is a bowler full of confidence. You come to know the reality of a bowler when he bowls badly and comes back in the same match. He showed that in the last match. He conceded 23 runs in the first over and then gave only six runs in the next two overs. This guy’s mindset is right at the top.”
