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Amidst the ongoing IPL 2026, Kuldeep Yadav has been embroiled in a shocking controversy after a video of him playing a local cricket match in Kanpur went viral on social media. The clip surprised many as the IPL season is still going on and Delhi Capitals is yet to play a league match.
As the video went viral online, many were confused whether Delhi Capitals had already released Kuldeep from the team or whether the BCCI was aware of his presence in the local match. The timing of the video made the whole situation even more shocking.
Kuldeep Yadav took part in a club match in Kanpur amid IPL 2026.
In the viral video, Kuldeep Yadav was seen bowling in a club match at the PAC Cricket Ground in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The spinner’s involvement in club matches during the ongoing IPL 2026 became a big talking point among fans as players usually stay with their teams until the season officially ends.
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Delhi Capitals are already out of the race for the IPL 2026 playoffs and are currently placed eighth on the points table with 12 points from 13 matches. Their final league match is against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 24 May. But even before that important match, Kuldeep returned home.
This left many surprised, with fans questioning whether Kuldeep has been released by Delhi Capitals or whether the BCCI has allowed the wrist spinner to feature in local matches during the current season as he was not a part of the franchise’s last two matches.
Why is Kuldeep Yadav playing random club matches during IPL? Delhi Capitals released him from the team? pic.twitter.com/XAPMZ1YWmf
– Harshit (@I_am_Harshit_17) 22 May 2026
Kuldeep Yadav had a poor IPL 2026 season with Delhi Capitals
The ongoing IPL 2026 season has been really tough for Kuldeep. The left-arm spinner failed to live up to expectations, taking only seven wickets and conceding more than 10 runs per over in the 11 matches he played this season for the Capitals.
One of the biggest problems for Kuldeep this season was his inability to take wickets for a long period. He played six consecutive matches without taking any wickets, putting additional pressure on the Delhi Capitals bowling attack. Things got worse for Kuldeep at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where the batsmen attacked him aggressively.
Also Read: BCCI takes strict action against CSK after MS Dhoni misses IPL 2026 GT clash
The wrist spinner struggled badly against teams like Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, where he gave away a lot of runs without making any impact. Due to his poor form, Kuldeep was dropped from the playing eleven for DC’s last two matches against Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
Despite his poor performance in IPL 2026, the Indian selectors continued to show confidence in Kuldeep as the spinner was selected for the one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan on home soil.
Kuldeep Yadav shares dreamy old pictures from the music festival
Kuldeep Yadav recently shared some old pictures from his sangeet ceremony held in March. In the pictures, Kuldeep was seen wearing a stylish black sherwani with a colorful stole, while his wife Vanshika looked beautiful in a bright blue dress.