DC Aim For 5 Home Wins In IPL 2026, Says Kuldeep Yadav

After beating Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets, DC will begin their home leg of IPL 2026 by taking on five-time champions Mumbai Indians on Saturday afternoon. In IPL 2025, DC had a torrid time in New Delhi, winning just one out of five games and a win percentage standing at just 20, as they missed out on a spot in the playoffs.

"If we play good cricket, we can definitely aim to win five out of five (seven games) at home. We didn't discuss much about home records from last season. This time, we expect to perform well across all seven matches at home. We want to play good cricket, give our fans something to cheer about, and aim to win at least five out of seven games," said Kuldeep, while replying to a query from IANS in the pre-match press conference on Friday.

Kuldeep has been a steady performer in the IPL since 2025, picking up 17 wickets in 14 innings at an economy rate of 7.1 and a strike rate of 19. Against a formidable MI batting line-up, however, Kuldeep's returns have been modest -- 10 wickets in 12 innings coming at a higher economy rate of 8.8 and a strike rate of 25.

"They are a strong team with a very solid batting lineup. They performed well in the first match, too. With players like Rohit bhai, Surya, Hardik, and Tilak, they have a lot of experience and quality. Indian players have consistently done well for MI over the years. We will plan accordingly and try to get them out as early as possible," he said.

Kuldeep also spoke about operating under a bowling captain in left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel. "My primary role is in the field. Most of my discussions also happen there. Axar is a senior player, and with KL bhai as wicketkeeper-batter, the communication between bowlers is very good.

"We've just played one match, and it's been a good start. We are not under any pressure regarding our bowling unit. As the tournament progresses, we will learn more, improve, and look to put opposition teams under pressure," he said.

On the batting order, Kuldeep backed the top-order players to come good after they were dismissed cheaply by LSG pacers. "Nitish (Rana) has been around for a long time and is an experienced IPL player. He has delivered consistently.

"Pathum is a quality player as well, so there's no need to panic at the top. It was just the first match. Everyone wants a good start, but sometimes it doesn't happen. We are confident that we will perform well in the upcoming matches," he said.

Kuldeep also supported head coach Hemang Badani's call to send Tristan Stubbs ahead of David Miller in the batting order while chasing against LSG, as he remained unbeaten on 39, while Sameer Rizvi hit a match-winning 70. "It was an instinctive decision. I'm not sure who exactly made the call, but I think it was a good one.

"David Miller has played that role many times, but he probably felt Stubbs could provide more stability at that stage and build a partnership with Sameer, and it was a good move. As the game progresses, Miller becomes more dangerous in those situations. That was likely the thinking behind the decision," he concluded.

- IANS