Not getting a game despite being part of a World Cup-winning squad can challenge even the most seasoned cricketers. For Kuldeep Yadav, this was reality during India’s historic T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where the team claimed its record third title. Kuldeep played just one out of eight matches, spending most of the tournament on the sidelines. Yet, he turned the experience into a lesson in preparation, patience, and mental toughness.

“The key is staying ready,” Kuldeep Yadav explained ahead of Delhi Capitals’ home clash against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026. “Preparation becomes crucial, especially when you’re not getting games. I made sure there was no gap in my preparation so that whenever an opportunity came, I was ready.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining a match-ready mindset. “Even if you’re not playing, being with the team, attending practice sessions, and maintaining that focus is vital. Your approach should always be that you’re ready for the next game,” he said. For Kuldeep, putting in maximum effort in the nets was non-negotiable, ensuring he could deliver at full intensity whenever called upon.

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Confidence, he added, stems from preparation. “If your training and routines are in place, you will naturally feel confident, even though a bit of nervousness is always there. Planning against batters is constant; you assess where they want to score and how they might approach you. With new batters, it’s more challenging, but preparation builds confidence.”

Now representing Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, Kuldeep is focused on translating that preparation into performance. T20 cricket is notoriously tough on bowlers, with conditions heavily favouring batters. Yet, the 31-year-old has built a reputation as one of the most skilful left-arm wrist-spinners in the game, remaining committed to his attacking approach.

“It’s very important for spinners to hold on to their strengths,” he said. “Whenever batters put you under pressure, you tend to forget your strengths. Don’t do that. Your identity is as an attacking spinner, and if you’re taking wickets for the team, there’s nothing better. The mindset should always be attacking.”

‘When you’re not getting games … ‘

Kuldeep Yadav on staying IPL-ready despite limited chances in T20 World Cup

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Kuldeep Yadav also stressed lessons for young spinners, highlighting the importance of mental toughness. “High-scoring games are part of T20s. Yes, runs will be hit, but you need to plan and be ready. Grounds can be small, but the attacking mindset is crucial. You have to be a fighter and deal with pressure,” he said.

Looking ahead to DC’s home game against Mumbai Indians, Kuldeep remains calm despite Delhi’s shaky start in the season opener. Early collapses saw KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, and Nitish Rana fall cheaply, but players like Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs stabilised the innings.

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“There’s no panic after one game,” Kuldeep Yadav asserted. “It’s a long tournament, and our players have the experience and ability to deliver. MI is a very strong batting unit with players like Rohit, Suryakumar, Hardik, and Tilak performing consistently. Our plan is to execute well and pick wickets early.”

Kuldeep Yadav’s philosophy is clear: preparation, patience, and an attacking mindset are the keys to thriving in high-pressure T20 cricket, whether on the bench at a World Cup or in the middle of an IPL contest. His focus, resilience, and tactical awareness make him an indispensable asset for Delhi Capitals this season.