Delhi Capitals Concerned as Kuldeep Yadav Struggles Continue in IPL 2026

The problems continue to pile up for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026, and one of their biggest concerns remains the form of spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner has endured a disappointing campaign so far, with his struggles becoming increasingly evident as the tournament progresses.

Following DC’s defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday, the team management openly acknowledged Kuldeep’s poor run. DC director of cricket Venugopal Rao admitted the side was feeling the impact of the spinner’s lack of form.

“We are facing that failure,” Rao said after the loss. “A player like him, alongside Axar, is very important for our bowling unit. When one is doing well and the other is not, it hurts the bowling group.”

Kuldeep’s numbers this season underline DC’s concerns. In 11 matches, he has managed only seven wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.66. His average has ballooned to 50.28, making it one of the toughest IPL seasons of his career.

Against KKR, Kuldeep endured another difficult outing, returning figures of 0 for 41 in three overs. He was attacked consistently, conceding at least two boundaries in every over, including five sixes. Finn Allen took him apart with four maximums, while Cameron Green added another.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta criticised Kuldeep’s inability to control his lengths. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, Dasgupta said the spinner was allowing batters to dominate both off short deliveries and fuller balls.

“You can get hit in this format, but ideally you want batters hitting you straight down the ground rather than square of the wicket,” Dasgupta explained. “When you see sixes over square leg off short balls, it means the lengths are not right.”

Dasgupta also pointed out that when DC placed a slip fielder for Kuldeep during his later overs, it was a sign that the team wanted him to attack more with fuller deliveries in search of wickets.

However, statistics reveal that fuller deliveries have been a major weakness for Kuldeep this season. According to ESPNcricinfo data, batters have scored 178 runs off his 70 full-length balls at a staggering strike rate of 254.28, smashing nine fours and 18 sixes. He has taken only two wickets with that length.

Former New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan also highlighted Kuldeep’s inconsistent lines, noting that too many deliveries were drifting into the “hand-freeing arc” outside off stump.

“You have to play the corners of the base,” McClenaghan said, suggesting Kuldeep was failing to target the stumps consistently enough.

DC captain Axar Patel had earlier admitted after the loss to Chennai Super Kings that he was missing Kuldeep’s usual support in the middle overs.

With DC now suffering seven defeats in 11 matches, Kuldeep’s form has become one of the defining concerns of their struggling IPL 2026 campaign.