Kuldeep Yadav
Role: Bowler (Left-arm unorthodox spinner)
DOB: 14 December 1994
IPL Team (2026): Delhi Capitals
Base Price: Retained (Last Auction: 2 Cr in 2022 by DC)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 106 | 30 | 16 | 81 | 16* | 5.78 | 85 | 95.29 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 28 |
| 2026 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3* | 5.00 | 5 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1* | 1.00 | 2 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 10* | 7.50 | 13 | 115.38 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2022 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 8* | 7.50 | 13 | 115.38 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2021 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0* | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1* | 0.50 | 2 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2018 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 16* | 6.00 | 19 | 94.73 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2017 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1* | 1.00 | 2 | 50.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 106 | 2406 | 3056 | 119 | 5/20 | 25.68 | 7.61 | 20.21 | 3 | 1 |
| 2026 | 5 | 120 | 140 | 7 | 2/20 | 20.00 | 7.00 | 17.14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 14 | 336 | 400 | 18 | 3/25 | 22.22 | 7.14 | 18.66 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 11 | 264 | 338 | 16 | 4/55 | 21.12 | 7.68 | 16.50 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 336 | 419 | 10 | 2/15 | 41.90 | 7.48 | 33.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 336 | 405 | 21 | 4/14 | 19.28 | 7.36 | 16.00 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2020 | 5 | 102 | 151 | 1 | 1/16 | 151.00 | 8.88 | 102.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 9 | 180 | 279 | 4 | 1/20 | 69.75 | 9.30 | 45.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 16 | 384 | 468 | 17 | 4/20 | 27.52 | 7.31 | 22.58 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 | 282 | 360 | 12 | 3/24 | 30.00 | 7.65 | 23.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 | 66 | 96 | 6 | 2/28 | 16.00 | 8.72 | 11.00 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Kuldeep Yadav
From the dusty bylanes of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, emerged a cricketing prodigy who dared to defy convention. Kuldeep Yadav, initially a fast-bowling aspirant, was nudged by his coach to embrace spin due to his slight frame. What followed was a journey into the rare and enchanting art of left-arm wrist-spin, or ‘chinaman’ bowling. His unique action and deceptive variations quickly set him apart, making him a fascinating prospect in an era dominated by finger spinners.
Kuldeep’s IPL journey began with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2014, though he didn’t make his debut until 2016. It was in the 2017 and 2018 seasons that he truly announced his arrival, becoming a vital cog in KKR’s attack, consistently picking up crucial wickets in the middle overs. His ability to turn the ball both ways, coupled with a well-disguised googly and flipper, bamboozled even the most seasoned batsmen. He was a genuine wicket-taker, often breaking partnerships when the opposition seemed to be cruising.
However, the demanding nature of T20 cricket and perhaps a dip in confidence saw his form wane between 2019 and 2021, culminating in a season where he didn’t play a single game for KKR. Many wondered if the magic had faded. But like a true champion, Kuldeep orchestrated a spectacular comeback. Picked up by Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 2022 mega-auction, he rediscovered his rhythm under the mentorship of Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson. The 2022 season was a revelation, as he finished with 21 wickets, proving that his chinaman craft was far from a forgotten art, and he was once again a match-winner.
His playing style is a delightful blend of artistry and aggression. He relies on flight, dip, and subtle changes in pace to outwit batsmen, rather than raw speed. His conventional leg-break turns sharply away from the right-hander, while his googly darts in, often catching batsmen plumb in front or finding the outside edge. He’s a bowler who thrives on challenging the batsmen, always looking for a wicket, making him one of the most exciting spinners to watch in the IPL.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Kolkata Knight Riders (2014-2021): Kuldeep was first bought by KKR in 2014 for INR 40 lakhs, though he didn’t feature in that season. His debut came in 2016, and he slowly built his reputation. His best years with KKR were 2017 (12 wickets) and 2018 (17 wickets), where he formed a potent spin attack. However, his performance dipped significantly in 2019 (4 wickets from 9 matches) and 2020 (1 wicket from 5 matches). The 2021 season was particularly tough, as he was benched for the entire tournament, leading to speculation about his future.
Delhi Capitals (2022-Present): The 2022 mega-auction proved to be a turning point. Delhi Capitals secured his services for INR 2 crore, a move that paid rich dividends. Kuldeep had a sensational comeback season, picking up 21 wickets and earning multiple Player of the Match awards. He continued to be a key bowler for DC in 2023 (10 wickets) and 2024 (16 wickets), showcasing his renewed confidence and wicket-taking prowess. His consistent performances have made him an indispensable part of the Capitals’ setup, and he is expected to be retained for the 2026 season, solidifying his role as their premier spinner.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
Kuldeep Yadav is a high-impact player, and understanding his nuances can be highly profitable for bettors. His primary strength lies in his unique chinaman bowling, which offers a rare challenge to batsmen. He’s a genuine wicket-taker, especially in the middle overs (7-15), where he can break partnerships and shift momentum. His deceptive variations – the conventional leg-break, the googly, and the flipper – make him unpredictable. He thrives on pitches that offer even a hint of turn and on larger grounds where batsmen are forced to take risks against his flight and dip.
From a betting standpoint, Kuldeep is an excellent candidate for “Most Wickets” or “Player of the Match” bets, particularly when Delhi Capitals are playing on spin-friendly tracks or against teams with a known weakness against wrist spin. He has a good record against right-handers, often exploiting their tendency to play for the turn away from them, only to be undone by the googly. His post-2021 consistency has made him a more reliable pick.
However, he does have vulnerabilities. On flat, batting-friendly surfaces, he can be expensive if batsmen manage to read his variations early. Aggressive left-handers who target him with power can sometimes put him under pressure. Bettors should exercise caution when he’s playing on small grounds or against teams packed with strong hitters of wrist spin. Look at the pitch report and the opposition’s batting lineup before placing bets on his individual performance. His economy rate can sometimes fluctuate, so “Under/Over Runs Conceded” bets require careful consideration of the match conditions.
Key Records & Milestones
- Only the third bowler in IPL history to take a five-wicket haul for Delhi Capitals (5/20 vs Rajasthan Royals in 2022).
- Most wickets by a spinner for Delhi Capitals in a single IPL season (21 wickets in 2022).
- One of the very few chinaman bowlers to have a sustained and impactful career in the IPL.
- Has taken 3 four-wicket hauls and 1 five-wicket haul in his IPL career, showcasing his match-winning ability.
- Reached the milestone of 100 IPL wickets in the 2025 season, a testament to his longevity and skill.
IPL Season Highlights
2022 Season (Delhi Capitals): This was Kuldeep’s redemption season. After being benched for an entire year, he roared back with 21 wickets from 14 matches, averaging an impressive 19.28. His standout performances included a match-winning 4/14 against his former team KKR, and another brilliant 4/35 against Punjab Kings. He consistently provided breakthroughs, earning him multiple Player of the Match awards and cementing his status as DC’s lead spinner.
2018 Season (Kolkata Knight Riders): A pivotal season for Kuldeep at KKR, where he picked up 17 wickets from 16 matches with an average of 27.52. He was instrumental in KKR’s run to the playoffs, delivering crucial spells. His best figures of 4/20 against Rajasthan Royals highlighted his ability to dismantle batting lineups and turn the tide of a game single-handedly.
2024 Season (Delhi Capitals): Demonstrating his continued importance and form, Kuldeep secured 16 wickets from 11 matches in the 2024 season. His average of 21.12 and an economy of 7.68 showed he maintained his wicket-taking threat while keeping runs in check. This season underscored his consistency and reliability as a frontline spinner for DC, proving his comeback was no fluke.