Kuldeep Yadav Slaps Rinku Singh : It turned out to be a high-octane clash among Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium — and it didn’t disappoint. From huge sixes to nail-biting finishes, the healthy had it all. But after the very last ball had been bowled and the players had been winding down, a rather unexpected controversy stole the limelight.
A slapgate moment has rocked IPL once again.
Did Kuldeep Yadav Really Slap Rinku Singh?
In a shocking visual caught on camera, DC spinner Kuldeep Yadav was seen slapping KKR’s star batter Rinku Singh post-match. While the action appeared to be in jest, Rinku’s reaction suggested otherwise. The smile disappeared from his face, and his body language quickly shifted to confusion and visible discomfort.
Eyewitnesses say that Rinku seemed taken aback, even asking Kuldeep something immediately after. What followed made things murkier — another person, whose face wasn’t clearly visible in the video, appeared to reach out to hit Rinku again, sparking tension among the group of players.
Post-Match Hangouts Turn Sour
As is tradition in the IPL, players from both teams usually hang around after matches for light-hearted chats, especially those from the same state or national team. This match was no different. A bunch of Uttar Pradesh cricketers, including Rinku and Kuldeep, who know each other well from domestic cricket, were chatting and laughing. Rinku, fresh off a victory, was visibly cheerful.
Suddenly, Kuldeep slapped him. Many assumed it became only a playful gesture between two friends. But Rinku didn’t take it that way. His response, stuck in gradual motion via cameras, confirmed that he was certainly not pleased.
Fans have been quick to attract comparisons to the infamous Harbhajan Singh-Sreesanth slap incident from IPL 2008, whilst Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth after a fight between the Mumbai Indians and the Kings XI Punjab. That incident had left Sreesanth in tears on live television and caused a suspension for Harbhajan.
Kuldeep Yadav Slaps Rinku Singh : No Official Complaint Yet
So far, neither Rinku Singh nor KKR has made any official complaint to the BCCI or match officials regarding the incident. Kuldeep, too, has not commented publicly. While this may blow over if both players resolve it privately, the footage has already gone viral and triggered major debates on social media.
Some fans are defending Kuldeep, saying it was just a joke, while others are urging the IPL authorities to take it seriously and issue a warning, if not a fine.
KKR Seals Important Win Over Delhi
Despite the talk, KKR has motives to have fun. They bounced back from losses with an interesting win over Delhi Capitals by 14 runs.
Batting first, KKR published a solid overall of 204/nine in 20 overs, thanks to a group attempt:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave a brisk start with 42 off 22
- Sunil Narine contributed a quickfire 35 from 17
- Ajinkya Rahane held the middle order with a classy 47
- Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi impressed with 28
- Rinku Singh chipped in with a vital 31 off 18
DC’s chase began well, with Faf du Plessis top-scoring with a commanding 62 off 38 balls, but they lost momentum in the middle overs. Sunil Narine’s magical spell turned the tide — he took 3 wickets in 2 overs, dismissing Mitchell Marsh, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel.
Delhi eventually finished at 190/9, falling short by just 14 runs.
What Happens Next?
This incident comes at a time whilst the IPL is being intently scrutinized for player behavior, both on and off the sphere. While feelings run excessive in excessive-stakes video games, physical contact — even in jest — may be misunderstood and blow up into some thing bigger.
It remains to be seen whether Rinku and Kuldeep will address the situation publicly or clarify their sides. As of now, fans are left guessing: was it harmless fun between friends or an uncalled-for gesture?
Regardless, the “slap incident” has already become one of the talking points of IPL 2025.
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