IPL 2024: Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel’s Bold Strategy Pays Off: A Lesson in Positive Mindset

Akshar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav have been doing the heavy lifting for their Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals (DC) in the current season. While Kuldeep has been among the wickets (10 scalps in five matches at an economy of 7.70), Akshar has been playing the contained role to perfection and is bowling at a very impressive economy of under 7. In a season where 200+ scores have become the norm, experienced spinners have been able to control proceedings in the middle. For Axar, it’s the mindset that holds the key. “Look, it’s all about mindset. If I go there with the mindset that I will be hit for runs, I will definitely give runs. When the opposition is scoring at a fast pace, my focus is only on my bowling, what are my strengths and in which areas I need to bowl,” Akshara said during a select media interaction.

The left-arm spinner added that entering IPL 2024 with an “aggressive” mindset and the right attitude has been crucial to his success so far. “I just stay positive and go with an aggressive mindset. When I come into the attack, the batsmen must have the impression that I am not under any kind of pressure. A player’s attitude and body language are very important. Moreover, I try to implement whatever my plan is,” he added.

‘Teams to take advantage of on the powerplay’

Many Powerplay records were broken in the match between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma posted 125/0 in the first 6 overs and finished with 131 runs in just 6.2 overs. Sunrisers finished with 266/7 in 20 overs and it was the third instance that the Pat Cummins-led unit broke the 250-run mark. While all teams have enjoyed an impact player, who has added to the batting depth at times, they have also opted for an ultra-aggressive approach in the powerplay overs. DC spinner Kuldeep Yadav feels that teams are trying to bat freely in the powerplay and the bowlers need to be very brave in that period.

“I think teams want to attack in the powerplay overs because the game slows down a bit in the middle overs. So, teams are trying to make the most of the first six overs. I think the bowlers should be braver because the T20 format has evolved that way. This was not the case before. The sides used to aim for 40-50 in the Powerplay over but that’s not the case anymore,” he said. While the spinner appreciates the way the batsmen are doing in the powerplay, the left-hander adds that the onus is on the bowlers to back up their power. “Secondly, I think the bowlers are bowling according to what they are going to do and not really sticking to their strengths. I believe bowlers should understand their strengths and support themselves as it is very important,” added Kuldeep.

While the bowlers in the teams continued to struggle, Kuldeep was all praise for his Indian teammate Jasprit Bumrah. The Chinaman praised the Mumbai Indians’ pace spearhead for consistently supporting his strengths. “I have just seen 2-3 bowlers who are backing themselves and their abilities. One such bowler is Jasprit Bumrah. The way he is bowling shows that he is supporting his strengths and he is putting the batsmen in front of him on the backfoot. He is definitely ahead of the batsman,” said Yadav.

‘It’s good to get hit on a good delivery’

During the match against Sunrisers, Kuldeep scored 55 runs in 4 overs but also took four wickets. He was taken by the batsmen on that particular day but the left-arm spinner continued with his plans to bowl in good length areas which earned him three scalps out of four. “Talking about the IPL. The game has become different and the bowler needs to be one step ahead of the batsman. If someone hits a high ball for a run, you plan to stick it. (During the game against SRH) I got hit on some good deliveries. Abhishek (Sharma) batted really well,” said Kuldeep. Both Akshar and Kuldeep have been the backbone of Delhi Capitals’ bowling this season and Rishabh Pant will hope they continue to be brave in their second game against Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.