Mukesh is being utilized in a brand new position as a loss of life overs specialist.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Ever for the reason that IPL’s 2023 version, Mukesh Kumar has developed from being a fringe participant to having earned the uncommon distinction of constructing his worldwide debut throughout all three codecs in the identical sequence. Besides, the pacer has been unveiled in a brand new avatar — that of a loss of life overs specialist — by Delhi Capitals.
The method wherein Mukesh — who depends on seam as his key arsenal, no less than within the red-ball format — is being utilized in a brand new position might have shocked fairly a couple of individuals, however the pacer himself was prepared for the problem.
“I was told last season to be prepared for bowling at the death, so I was doing accordingly,” stated Mukesh throughout a round-table chat organised by the franchise.
Ishant’s assist
In an endeavour to reinforce his expertise, he turned in direction of Ishant Sharma — his sounding board at DC — whose wealthy expertise helped him develop the “slower ball, knuckle ball and wide yorkers”.
It mirrored within the method wherein he caught to his plan of bowling slower balls or low full-tosses to defend 18 runs within the final over and assist Capitals edge previous Gujarat Titans on Wednesday.
Bumrah’s position
Jasprit Bumrah helped Mukesh perceive the efficient use of the yorker.
“I was focusing on yorkers last season but Jassi bhai made me realise that a yorker’s effectiveness depends on the conditions and the pace of the pitch. If it is slightly slower, an attempted yorker may end up landing in the slot, so I am focusing more on the slower ball this season.”
Yorkers by no means exit of vogue in T20 cricket however every IPL version has a flavour of the season with regards to containing range-hitters.
“Wide yorkers are trending this season but you cannot overdo it upfront and waste the new ball. You have to try for wickets upfront so that’s the risk you take, by bowling in line and risking the batters going after. But it also depends on the conditions as well,” Mukesh stated.