Kuldeep Yadav Claims 100th IPL Wicket; Faf du Plessis Joins Captaincy Milestone
| 2025-05-22
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Kuldeep Yadav reaches 100 IPL wickets in Delhi Capitals’ clash with Mumbai Indians, Faf du Plessis becomes fourth-oldest IPL captain at 40.
Indian left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav joined an elite list of bowlers by securing his 100th wicket in the Indian Premier League during a high-stakes match at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The 30-year-old reached the milestone in his 97th appearance in the tournament, making him the fourth-fastest spinner to reach the landmark.
Kuldeep’s key breakthrough came in the seventh over of the match, when he dismissed South African batter Ryan Rickelton, who had scored 25 runs from 18 balls. The catch, taken by Madhav Tiwari, marked Kuldeep’s sole wicket in a four-over spell that saw him return with disciplined figures of 1 for 22.
The match held significant implications for both Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, as the two sides remained locked in a battle for the final playoff berth in IPL 2025. With the stakes high, Delhi’s bowling attack, led by Kuldeep, applied early pressure on Mumbai’s top order.
Meanwhile, South African cricketer Faf du Plessis captained Delhi Capitals in the absence of regular skipper Axar Patel, who was ruled out due to illness. At 40 years and 312 days, du Plessis became the fourth-oldest player to lead an IPL side. The record for the oldest captain is held by Chennai Super Kings’ Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led his team at the age of 43 years and 317 days earlier this week.
Du Plessis, a former captain of the South African national team, marshalled his resources effectively on the field. His tactical use of spin proved crucial on a surface that slowed considerably due to weather conditions, making batting challenging for Mumbai’s top order.
Despite Delhi’s early success with the ball, Mumbai Indians found their rhythm through the in-form Suryakumar Yadav. The 34-year-old batter remained unbeaten on 73 from just 43 deliveries, an innings that featured seven fours and four sixes. His effort propelled Mumbai to a competitive total of 180 for 5 in their 20 overs.
Kuldeep Joins Exclusive Company
With his 100th wicket, Kuldeep Yadav became only the 11th bowler in IPL history to reach the milestone. His pace of achievement places him behind only Amit Mishra, Rashid Khan and Varun Chakaravarthy, all of whom reached the mark in 83 matches. Other notable spinners such as Yuzvendra Chahal and Sunil Narine reached the 100-wicket club in 84 and 86 games respectively.
The achievement adds to a career resurgence for Kuldeep, who has played a key role in Delhi’s bowling unit in recent seasons. His ability to adapt to different conditions and maintain a low economy rate has reinforced his value to the franchise.
Speaking after the game, a member of Delhi’s coaching staff praised Kuldeep’s consistency and resilience: “He’s worked hard to get here. This milestone is a testament to his skill and determination.”
Playoff Race Intensifies
The match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians was critical in determining the final qualifier for the IPL 2025 playoffs. With both teams vying for the fourth and final spot, the outcome of this fixture, along with their respective final league matches against Punjab Kings, will shape the playoff picture.
Delhi Capitals required a victory to stay in contention, while a loss would have ended their playoff hopes and confirmed Mumbai’s qualification. With Axar Patel sidelined, the team looked to the experience of Faf du Plessis to guide them through a high-pressure contest.
Context: The Race for IPL 2025 Playoffs
The IPL’s playoff race has tightened considerably in recent weeks, with multiple teams still in contention for the remaining spot. The 2025 season has seen a strong showing from defending champions Gujarat Titans and consistent performances from Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, leaving just one opening in the top four.
For Delhi and Mumbai, the road to the playoffs now depends not only on their head-to-head result but also on outcomes against Punjab Kings in their final league matches. Delhi’s resurgence, powered by seasoned players and emerging talents alike, has kept them in the mix despite a turbulent season.
As the league stage draws to a close, both franchises are aware that every run and wicket could prove decisive. Kuldeep Yadav’s milestone and Faf du Plessis’s leadership have added fresh narratives to a campaign that remains finely poised.
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