Punjab Kings’ seamer Vijaykumar Vyshak has gone from strength to strength in the IPL. He has become a key name due to his versatility, execution in the death overs, and repertoire of variations – slower-balls and cutters. As a versatile fast-bowler, he believes express pace is not everything.
“I’m not as fast as those bowling 155 kmph, but I can bowl around 140-144 kmph. I love challenges. It doesn’t matter if I bowl three overs in the powerplay or four in the death; as long as I am contributing to the team, I am happy,” Vyshak said in a virtual media interaction.
Making his debut in 2023 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru as an injury replacement, he shone with his slower balls and cutters, emerging as a reliable option in the death overs. He was picked up by the Punjab Kings for INR 1.80 crore and has since been a mainstay despite missing the majority of last season through injury.
Vyshak credits the work in the domestic circuit and the coaches and seniors in Karnataka, his home state. He believes that playing against international stars in the domestic circuit has helped transition into the IPL. He also added that he tries to add more to his repertoire every year, as video analysis means batters are also becoming better at picking bowlers.
“You can’t play on this stage without hard work in net sessions. I have great coaches back home and inspiration from my Karnataka seniors. Playing domestic cricket in India, where you face international stars, also helped my confidence. Because of video analysts, you have to keep getting better. I try to bring a new delivery or variation every season,” Vyshak added.
‘If I’m confident, the batsman doesn’t matter’ – Vyshak, on preparation and bowling plans
Vyshak relies mostly on how he feels and whether he is executing his bowling plans. Highlighting the dismissal of Ayush Mhatre, who was dismissed for 73, Vyshak shared that despite where the plan comes from, it is his job to execute as the bowler.
“It’s about how I feel. If I’m confident and nailing my yorkers, the batsman doesn’t matter. If I get hit for a boundary, I just get back to my run-up. Against [Ayush] Mhatre, the plan was instinctive from the captain because he was hitting well to the leg side. We forced him to hit toward point and third man, which helped restrict the total,” Vyshak said.
Vyshak has stated his aspirations of playing for the Indian team, with his desire to represent the country in the Test format.
“Every cricketer dreams of wearing the Indian cap for Test matches. It still gives me chills to think about. For now, I want to do well in this format and hopefully play for the Indian team soon,” Vyshak concluded.
With five wickets in two games, he has been one of Punjab Kings’ most reliable bowlers, being able to deliver in all phases of the innings. He flattened the Gujarat Titans’ middle order with a spell of 3/34 while picking up the wickets of set batters Ayush Mhatre and Sarfaraz Khan against the Chennai Super Kings.
