Kuldeep Yadav ditches Delhi Capitals and Rishabh Pant after T20 World Cup squad announcement; reveals his favourite IPL Team

Team India's only Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has revealed that the Chennai Super Kings was his favorite Indian Premier League team growing up. 

Kuldeep Yadav made this revelation while speaking to Ravichandran Ashwin in the latter's interview-podcast show named "Kutti Stories with Ash". Kuldeep and Ashwin tuned in with each other very well in the interview just like they had paired together to desolate the English team which had come to India for a 5-match Test series from January to March. 

Kuldeep Yadav reveals his chameleon style of changing his favorite IPL team

In the interview with Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav was asked a variety of questions and one of them was his favorite IPL team growing up. To that, the left-arm wrist spinner claimed that he used to always support MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings. He admitted that during his teenage days, he was asked to pick his favorite IPL team and so he chose the South-Indian franchise. 

Its unreal how everyone is a fan of CSK 😭😂 Even Kuldeep was a huge CSK fan while he was younger. Did you watch the latest episode of #KuttiStorieswithAsh yet?https://t.co/tDXn81lla2 pic.twitter.com/layzieEAYQ

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 1, 2024

Kuldeep Yadav then revealed that after he had amassed success for India at the U-19 level and got picked up by the Mumbai Indians, he quickly switched allegiance. The 29-year-old admitted that his CSK fandom was finished after MI handed him his first-ever Indian Premier League deal.  

"I am a fan, it's not like I am not now but when you are younger you are asked to choose your favourite team, at that time it was always CSK for me. Then after I played U-19, I got picked by Mumbai Indians in 2012. Before that I used to watch IPL and it was only 'CSK CSK' for me. When I got picked by Mumbai Indians, then I thought okay let's shift to Mumbai Indians." - Kuldeep said via Ravichandran Ashwin's podcast - Kutti Stories with Ash. 

How has IPL 2024 panned out for Kuldeep Yadav? 

Kuldeep Yadav's 2024 Indian Premier League season has been decent enough in terms of rhythm as well as statistics for the Delhi Capitals. The Chinaman has been crucial for the North-Indian outfit and has chipped in with wickets whenever the team has been in difficult situations. Kuldeep Yadav has registered 12 wickets from 8 matches for DC at an economy rate of 8.52 with a best of 4/55. 

For a fact, Delhi's position in the points table and their inconsistent performances in IPL 2024 don't do justice to Kuldeep Yadav's quality. But the UP-born cricketer will be happy to have himself selected for the Indian National team in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. 

Kuldeep Yadav will be flying over to the USA and West Indies with his long-time spin partner Yuzvendra Chahal, who is also a part of the 15-man squad for the event. 

How many more matches will Kuldeep play in IPL 2024?

KuKuldeep Yadav has just 3 more matches left to play for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024. The final stretch will begin with a clash against Rajasthan Royals on 7th May at home before visiting the M. Chinnaswamy stadium to take on RCB (on 12th May). Delhi's last league game will be against the Lucknow Super Giants on 14th May at the Arun Jaitley stadium.