DPL 2025: Como Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan ajudou o ex-jogador do RR a aprimorar suas habilidades no IPL

North Delhi Strikers pacer Kuldip Yadav put up a commendable performance against Outer Delhi Warriors to help the side pick up a 19-run win in DPL 2025. The former Rajasthan Royals fast bowler finished with figures of 3/32 from his four overs, playing a crucial role in helping NDS successfully defend their 163-run total. Kuldip, who had the opportunity to work on his bowling in close quarters with legends like Lasith Malinga and Zaheer Khan in the IPL, spoke about how they helped him become a more rounded bowler.

Malinga, Zaheer’s role in making Kuldip a rounded bowler

Answering to a question posed by InsideSport, Kuldip revealed that he had learnt the art of swing from Malinga during his stint with RR in IPL. The pacer spent three seasons with the side – one game in 2021, zero in 2022 and two games in 2023 – the same time when Malinga was the team’s fast bowling coach (2022-23).

“I got to learn a lot from Malinga sir, our bowling coach. He thought me how to have the right mindset and swing. I bowled keeping that in mind. I learnt the art of grip, wrist position, how the non-bowling arm should function, what should be the target, how the body should be at the finish. By practicing this repeatedly, I was able to swing the ball,” Kuldip said.

Kuldip was then released by RR and moved to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as a net bowler in IPL 2025. There, he worked with Zaheer Khan, who was the team’s mentor in the past season. Dubbing Zaheer as his idol, Kuldip revealed that the former’s mantra was to keep things simple and stay calm.

“Zaheer sir is a legend and is my idol. He stays very calm. He says that keep it simple – if it is a new ball, then bowl a line-length delivery, don’t think too much,” Kuldip added.