'I still regret my time' - Kuldeep Yadav recalls struggle at KKR

Delhi Capitals (DC) spinner Kuldeep Yadav has expressed his regret over not realising his full potential with his former franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders from the 2016 to 2021 season of IPL. The left-arm wrist spinner, picked up by DC for INR 2 crore in the 2022 IPL mega-auction, has been a top performer for the franchise, picking 41 wickets in just 33 matches since joining the team.

Kuldeep's struggles at KKR are well-documented. Despite starting promisingly, taking 40 wickets in 45 matches, the Kanpur-born lost his way. Injuries, loss of form, and confidence played a huge role in the dip in his performance during the 2019-2021 period as he was eventually dropped from the playing XI. But the move to Delhi under Rishabh Pant's leadership has reignited his career.

"I still regret my time in KKR (from 2016-2020) and feel whatever I am doing now, wish I could have done it back then. It still hurts me that had I worked on those skills back then, I could have dominated even more," Kuldeep said while reflecting on those tough years at a media event organised by DC.

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I needed guidance but now I don't need it: Kuldeep Yadav

The 29-year-old admitted to a lack of maturity and needing guidance after MS Dhoni's retirement in 2019.

“In KKR, I needed guidance but now I don't need it, as now I dictate terms. In 2019, Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni, his national team mentor) retired that year and I needed guidance. The idea that I have now has come with experience,” Kuldeep said about his success in the last one and a half years.

Kuldeep also spoke about his recent success in taking on challenges head-on. "I believed in my skills but then at the same time I needed to understand how the batter is playing and that maturity has come, knowing my strength and where to bowl so that it is difficult to hit, and I am working on that."

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However, he agreed failures made him a better player. "When you encounter failure in life, then only you learn, and now I am more confident about my skills and at the same time respectful of the fact that opposition can be good too,” the spinner concluded.