V Koushik: Compensating tempo with ‘right lengths’ to guide the Karnataka seam assault

V Koushik, Karnataka’s most prolific pacer within the Vijay Hazare Trophy this yr, is candid in admitting he doesn’t have tempo.

His light trot to the popping crease bears no resemblance to the ferocity that’s typically related together with his sort. There is not any vertical leap both as he hunches again to load his supply and roll his arm over. His trick solely works as soon as the ball pitches, which Anuj Rawat found on the expense of his wicket on Monday when Delhi confronted Karnataka in Ahmedabad.

“The first one (Anuj Rawat) came in after pitching. The conditions were a little overcast, and we were lucky enough to win the toss and bowl,” stated Koushik after organising his workforce’s six-wicket victory.

A couple of overs later, Himmat Singh, a right-handed batter, anticipated the ball to maneuver away from him and shuffled throughout. It was enterprising of him, given how Koushik had foxed Rawat. But this one seamed in too. Himmat was on his manner by the point the umpire’s finger went up. Koushik prised his third wicket, Lalit Yadav, with one other supply that moved in to sound the timber.

“The one which moves away from the right-hander is my stock delivery,” stated Koushik. The different one he has picked up through the years.

Over the three matches, Koushik has wielded his weapons to nice impact, selecting eight wickets in three video games.

Along with the motion, it’s Koushik’s size that units the entice – the fitting measure to entice the batter right into a drive but additionally enable the ball sufficient distance to alter trajectory after touchdown. In this hall, Koushik operates like clockwork but nonetheless manages to be effectively misleading.

“To be honest, there is less bounce here. Last year, we played most of the matches in the main stadium. This one is quite a different wicket; black soil, and there is not much bounce. Just preparing myself to hit the right lengths every time I bowl,” stated Koushik.

Along with Vidwath Kaverappa and Vyshak Vijaykumar, Koushik has introduced up a tempo trinity, which has proved very important reinforcement for a Karnataka aspect trying to finish the state’s barren run. Of the 30 wickets Karnataka has taken on this Vijay Hazare Trophy version, 21 have been between the three.

“We are three different kinds of bowlers. Vidwath is someone who can swing the ball and hit the right length. I do not have much pace, I stick to the right length. That is my strength. Vyshak coming at first change is a little quicker in the air. It’s a combination of the three different bowlers peaking at the right time for Karnataka,” stated Koushik.

Whether different groups are intimidated by the trio, Koushik stated, “I hope so. They will be watching us. That is what the advantage is, they [batters] do not have that resting space. Every time there is one fresh bowler who comes and hits the right lengths.”