IPL 2022: Yuzvendra Chahal is like my big brother, hope he wins the Purple Cap - Kuldeep Yadav
India Today
IPL 2022, DC vs KKR: Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav took his tally to 17 wickets in the season after decimating his former franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, for the 2nd successive time this year. He is now one wicket short of Yuzvendra Chahal's tally of 18 wickets - the most by a bowler so far in the season.
It's been a dream comeback for Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in IPL 2022. After missing the bus to last year's T20 World Cup, the two wrist-spinners have been in sensational form in the new season as the 'Kulcha' combination is making the headlines for all the right reasons again.
While Yuzvendra Chahal is on top of the wicket-takers tally with 18 wickets from 8 matches, Kuldeep Yadav has picked up 17 wickets in 8 matches, winning the Player of the Match Awards in all 4 of Delhi Capital's victories.
Chahal had been one of the consistent performers for Royal Challengers Bangalore over the years, but he was not retained by the former finalists ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. They did not even bid for the leg-spinner at the auction, but Rajasthan Royals secured the leg-spinner's services for Rs 6.50 crore.
On the other hand, Kuldeep did not play a single game for KKR last season before he suffered an injury in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. The wrist-spinner, who was struggling for form over the last 2 years, played only 5 matches for KKR in 2020 and picked up only 1 wicket. However, Kuldeep has found a new lease of life at Delhi Capitals with constant backing from captain Rishabh Pant and head coach Ricky Ponting, who has stressed that the left-arm spinner was one of their primary targets at the auction.
As the race for the Purple Cap heats up with Kuldeep and Chahal back to wicket-taking ways, all eyes are on the two wrist-spinners. However, Kuldeep made it clear that he wants his 'big brother' Chahal to finish with the accolade at the end of the season.
"He encouraged me a lot. He has been like a big brother and stood by me during my bad times. In my heart, I want him to go and win the Purple Cap because he has been bowling exceptionally over the past four years," Kuldeep said after starring for DC in their 4-wicket win over KKR on Thursday.
Notably, it was the second time Kuldeep plotted the downfall of KKR in IPL 2022. In the reverse fixture, Kuldeep picked up 4/35 in their 44-run win over Shreyas Iyer's men.
