New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist-spinner for Delhi Capitals (DC), expressed the team's ambition for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, stating their goal is to secure victories in at least five of the seven home matches set to take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi this Friday.

Having recently triumphed over the Lucknow Super Giants by six wickets, DC will kick off their home campaign against the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, on Saturday afternoon. In the previous season, IPL 2025, DC struggled at their home ground, managing to win only one out of five matches, resulting in a mere 20% win rate, which ultimately cost them a playoff position.

"If we play our best cricket, winning five out of seven home games is definitely achievable. We haven’t focused much on last season’s home record. This year, we are determined to perform better across all seven home matches. We want to showcase quality cricket, excite our fans, and aim for at least five wins out of seven at home," Kuldeep stated during a pre-match press conference with IANS on Friday.

Since 2025, Kuldeep has consistently delivered solid performances in the IPL, having taken 17 wickets in 14 innings with an economy rate of 7.1 and a strike rate of 19. However, against the formidable batting order of the Mumbai Indians, his statistics show a more modest return of 10 wickets in 12 innings, with a higher economy rate of 8.8 and a strike rate of 25.

"They have a robust team with a very strong batting lineup. They showcased their capabilities in their opening match as well. With players like Rohit, Surya, Hardik, and Tilak, they bring a wealth of experience and quality. MI’s Indian players have consistently excelled over the years. We will devise our strategy accordingly to dismiss them early," he commented.

Kuldeep also discussed the dynamics of working under a bowling captain, Axar Patel, a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder. "My primary focus is on the field. Most of our discussions occur there. Axar is a senior player, and with KL as our wicketkeeper-batter, the communication among bowlers is quite effective.

"Having only played one match, we are off to a decent start. There’s no pressure regarding our bowling unit. As the tournament unfolds, we will adapt, enhance our skills, and strive to put the opposition under pressure," he added.

On the batting front, Kuldeep expressed confidence in the top-order players rebounding after their early dismissals against LSG pace bowlers. "Nitish Rana has significant IPL experience and has been a consistent performer.

"Pathum is also a quality player, so there’s no need for panic at the top. It was just the first match. Everyone desires a strong start, but sometimes it doesn’t materialize. We believe we will perform well in the coming matches," he reassured.

Kuldeep endorsed head coach Hemang Badani’s decision to position Tristan Stubbs ahead of David Miller in the batting lineup during the chase against LSG, as Stubbs finished unbeaten on 39 while Sameer Rizvi scored a match-winning 70. "It was an instinctive choice. I’m uncertain who made the final call, but it turned out to be a sound decision.

"David Miller has fulfilled that role multiple times, but perhaps it was determined that Stubbs could offer more stability at that moment and build a partnership with Sameer, which was advantageous. As the game progresses, Miller tends to become more dangerous in such situations. That was likely the rationale behind the decision," he concluded.