IPL 2022: Kuldeep Yadav is more secure in DC than in KKR, Axar Patel opens up about teammate

Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets against MI

Mumbai, March 28: Delhi Capitals (DC) all-rounder Axar Patel said the franchise gave Kuldeep Yadav a sense of security that brought the best out of the Indian wrist-spinner against Mumbai Indians (MI) in an IPL 2022 match.

In DC's campaign opener on Sunday (March 27), Kuldeep picked three wickets and conceded just 18 runs in four overs against MI.

"He was adjudged man of the match for playing a key role in Delhi Capitals' victory. It's all about mindset. He was struggling in the IPL as his place in the KKR team was not secure. He was not sure that he would play all his matches," said Axar Patel in the post-match press conference, when asked about Kuldeep's performance.

"He feels now that the game is sure to come after coming here. You can give your best if you know that you have a safe place, and won't be dropped after a poor performance in two matches.

“Took important wickets like Pollard. The way coach Ricky Ponting and captain (Rishabh Pant) supported him, made him do his best," said Axar after Delhi's four-wicket win.

Chasing a target of 178 runs, Delhi were struggling at 104 for six in the 14th over but Lalit Yadav smashed 48 not out and Axar scored 38 not out off 17 balls as they shared an unbroken 75-run partnership to take their team's score to 179 runs in 18.2 overs.

Delhi Capitals will now take on the Hardik Pandya-led side Gujarat Titans in their next match on April 2.

Fighting knocks from Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel helped Delhi Capitals in defeating Mumbai Indians by 4 wickets in the Indian Premier League 2022 clash on Sunday.

At the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel played unbeaten knocks of 48 and 38 respectively as Delhi chased the target of 178 with 10 balls left to play.

Capitals who needed 75 off 42 at one point looked deep in trouble when Shardul Thakur became the sixth wicket to fall soon after.

But they weren't done yet as Patel and Yadav pulled off a coup to gather points for Capitals.

Earlier, knocks from Ishan Kishan and captain Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians to a total of 177/5 in their Indian Premier League 2022 match against Delhi Capitals.