New Delhi, April 3 – Delhi Capitals (DC) left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav believes that focusing on strengths and maintaining an aggressive mindset are crucial for spinners to succeed in high-scoring matches. He emphasizes that his confidence comes from meticulous preparation and a consistent routine.
Since joining DC in the 2022 season, Kuldeep has become one of the most effective spinners in the IPL, achieving 21 wickets in his first year, his best performance in a single edition of the competition.
"Whenever a batter puts you under pressure, it's easy to lose focus and look for safer options. But I believe you should always focus on your strengths.
"I usually assess the batter – how they play, their strengths, and the match situation. I try to anticipate what the batter is expecting from me and adjust my strategy accordingly.
"Ultimately, your strengths define you. If you're an attacking spinner, you shouldn't compromise that. If you're contributing to the team by taking wickets, that's the best thing. The team also expects you to take wickets. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but your mindset should always remain aggressive," Kuldeep said in a pre-match press conference on Friday.
Kuldeep has consistently led DC's spin bowling attack alongside Axar Patel, finishing as their top wicket-taker in IPL 2025 with 15 wickets, after taking 16 wickets in 2024.
His performance mirrored this success, as he finished the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup as the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in seven innings – though this translated into just one game for Kuldeep – against Pakistan in Colombo – in India's victorious T20 World Cup campaign.
"If you don't get opportunities, especially in tournaments like the World Cup, your preparation becomes very important. You need to stay consistent with your training so that you are ready whenever you get a chance. I didn't have any shortcomings in my preparation.
"I always prepared myself as if I were playing the next match. That helps you maintain rhythm, which is very important. When you are in touch with the game through practice sessions and follow a proper routine, it becomes easier to perform even after a gap.
"Being with the team, traveling, attending practice sessions, and mentally preparing yourself as if you are playing the next match is key. Even if you don't play, your mindset should always be ready," he added.
Kuldeep further stated that his confidence and wicket-taking abilities are linked to how well he prepares for a game. "I believe confidence comes from preparation. How well you prepare yourself and maintain your routine is very important. If your training is good and your routine is set, confidence naturally follows.
"When it comes to taking wickets, it's about reacting to how the batter is playing you. At the same time, batters also pre-plan – where they can score runs or which shots they want to play. When you play against someone regularly, you understand their strengths and patterns.
"That planning is always in your mind. With a new batter, it becomes more challenging because you don't know their game. Confidence is key, and it always comes from preparation. That's something everyone should remember," he elaborated.
Reflecting on his life after marrying his wife Vanshika shortly after the T20 World Cup win, Kuldeep chuckled that his second innings was going well. "I really enjoyed the wedding. Pressure and patience are different on the cricket field, but I'm enjoying my second innings in life. It takes a little time to adjust, but we are very happy and grateful."
On expectations regarding spinners to control the run flow in high-scoring games, Kuldeep remarked, "You can't go into a game thinking it will definitely be high-scoring. Youngsters often assume that T20 cricket is all about big scores, and while runs are part of the format, your preparation and planning matter more.
"It's not necessary that you will always concede 40–45 runs in your four overs. Sometimes it happens, sometimes you pick up wickets. At times, one batter might dominate you – that's part of the game. In T20 cricket, it's usually one batter who takes you on, not the entire batting lineup.
"You have to be ready for that challenge while sticking to your strengths. Yes, batting is easier with smaller grounds, but your mindset should be about contributing to the team. An attacking mindset is very important. Handling pressure well is what helps players grow and move forward."
On successfully bowling on bowling-friendly pitches in T20s, Kuldeep said, "That's where Test cricket comes in. In T20s, it depends on how well you bowl. In the last match, LSG bowled really well – they hit the right lengths, used their pace effectively, and there was some turn as well. It was a good wicket overall, even for batters.
"Different venues offer different conditions. In Delhi, you might get a flat track. In Lucknow or Chennai, conditions may favour bowlers. In Bangalore, it's more batting-friendly. That's the essence of home and away advantage, and that's how it should be.
"You shouldn't overthink conditions. If everything goes your way in cricket, you won't grow as a player. Playing in different conditions, especially away from home, challenges you. Once you adapt, things become easier. That's part of the game, and it should remain balanced for everyone," he concluded.