News Sports Cricket IPL 2022: Kuldeep needed love and attention, says DC head coach Ricky Ponting

IPL 2022: Kuldeep needed love and attention, says DC head coach Ricky Ponting

Kuldeep is the second-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps against his name.

The left-arm wrist-spinner had a rough three years prior to this IPL edition Image Source : IPLThe left-arm wrist-spinner had a rough three years prior to this IPL edition

Kuldeep Yadav has been on a roll in the ongoing season of the IPL. He is the second-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps against his name. 

A phenomenal talent like Kuldeep Yadav required a "positive environment" filled with a lot of "love and attention" to blossom and that's what was given to him by Delhi Capitals, head coach Ricky Ponting said.

The left-arm wrist-spinner had a rough three years prior to this IPL edition after being confined to the bench by the erstwhile national team management and also not getting enough support from his previous IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders.

He also had a major knee surgery that ruled him out of the last IPL. "We are really pleased for him, he was one of our main targets in the auction. We are giving him a lot of love and attention. He's a terrific young guy and this talented left-arm leg-spinner really seems to be thriving in this (positive) environment," Ponting said on Star Sports.

At Rs 2 crore base price, Kuldeep was literally a steal for the DC management at a time when most of the franchises were sceptical as to how he would measure up post-surgery, having not played a lot of cricket prior to that.

In case of Kuldeep, the DC management has tried to create a protective environment in which the Kanpur lad feels secure and that has led to him bowling beautifully.

"We are all pretty wrapped with him and make sure that we keep things in line with him and not let him get too far ahead of himself. And at the moment he's bowling beautifully."