The bowling ends at the home grounds of former India captains – Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid – have been named after them. (Photo Courtesy: X-Post of Star Sports)
Bengaluru: For more than two decades, Anil Kumble And Rahul Dravid Standing shoulder to shoulder for India, Karnataka and Royal Challengers Bangalore became the backbone of teams built on discipline and excellence. Rarely were they on opposite sides. Now at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, that has changed – symbolically.Bowling ends at the home grounds of former India captains have been named after them, a decision taken by the Karnataka State Cricket Association in February this year to honor two of its most illustrious sons. Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Ahead of Sunday’s southern derby between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super KingsKumble and Dravid formally unveiled the end with their families.In a brief but emotionally charged pre-match ceremony, the great players were given a standing ovation by the packed stadium. Chinnaswamy, a place that shaped their journey from promising cricketers to legends, erupted in applause as the two walked out together – once more.His former Indian teammate and current KSCA president Venkatesh PrasadAlong with Secretary Santosh Menon, he was presented with a citation. Kumble began his address in English before switching to Kannada, but his words were largely drowned out by the deafening cheers from the stands. Both Kumble and Dravid thanked KSCA for the honor and acknowledged its role bcciHis family and fans on his journey.Being with his family made the occasion even more special. Kumble was accompanied by his wife Chetna and children Aruni, Mayas and Swasti, while Dravid was accompanied by his mother Pushpa and brother Vijay.After the ceremony, Kumble immediately returned to his broadcaster duties, while Dravid spent some time greeting players from both teams. At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where they created their legacy together, Kumble and Dravid are now tied together forever in history.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is currently performing the toughest tightrope walk in the IPL, and the strings are starting to break.
Leading Chennai Super Kings has never been just about tactics on the board. More precisely, it is about managing a shared emotion. For Gaikwad, this responsibility has become a constant struggle for a pair of shoes so big they were probably never worth filling. He is not just fighting the opposition. He is struggling with the constant presence of Thala, a ghost who makes every bowling change suspicious unless it leads to a wicket.
After a disappointing start to the 2026 season, following three consecutive defeats including a 43-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gaikwad finds himself caught in a tough dilemma. He is the official face of the franchise, yet operates within a shadow that refuses to retreat, tasked with protecting a legacy that remains unforgivable.
What went wrong for CSK? IPL 2026? (Reuters photo)
The scrutiny has moved far beyond the polite confines of the pavilion and into the harsh, data-driven court of public opinion. Gaikwad’s plight is unusual. He is facing a new-age CSK, who appears to be Made a deal for his father’s army identity for Rs 30 crore Experiments driven by youth, yet they continue to be judged by the exacting standards of a dynasty built on experience.
In fact, it is a psychological ploy. On one side sits a calm, bruised MS Dhoni, the man who elected him, but whose aura ensures that any successor looks temporary. On the other hand stands T20 World Cup winner Sanju Samson, a proven leader in the Indian Premier League. whose advent has quietly established a ready alternative Before the weather settles down properly. For Gaikwad, captaincy has shifted from respect to scrutiny, a lens that magnifies hesitation.
This raises a fundamental question. Why burden the franchise’s key batting asset with the psychological weight of a change he did not design? In forcing Gaikwad to deal with the moment, CSK have run the risk of weakening their sharpest blade. The management now has a clear choice. Do they give him time for a plan that currently seems fragile, or do they relieve him of the role of protecting the player, even if it means accepting another failed succession?
dna mutation
For over a decade, CSK’s identity rested on the “Father’s Army” philosophy. Experience, restraint and hatred of panic defined him. After a disappointing 2025 season, when senior players faltered and late replacements provided little stability, the 2026 auction marked a sharp change in direction. The franchise focused decisively towards youth and invested heavily in untapped talents like Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma.
Yet this new iteration seems half-baked. The plan, which was intended to defeat the opponents, has failed under initial pressure. With Dhoni sidelined and Dewald Brevis unavailable for the opening matches, the batting unit lacks assurance. Both Gaikwad and Samson have struggled For rhythm at the top, while the young middle order has not been tested. The bowling attack, led by an unexpectedly ineffective Matt Henry, has also faltered, compounded by the departure of Nathan Ellis ahead of the season.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has struggled with the bat in IPL 2026. (AP photo)
Lacking both personnel and form, Gaekwad has had to attempt to defend a formation with limited resources. The defeat against RCB showed how weak this new team is at present.
Strategically lacking?
However, it would be very convenient to save the captain altogether. There is a growing sense of tactical inertia, especially in handling spin, which has historically been CSK’s biggest strength.
As a captain, he has relied less on his spinners. This was evident in the way he dealt with players like R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja last season.
This year, young Prashant Veer, who was considered to be Jadeja’s replacement, was not played in the opening games after Rs 14.2 crore was spent on him. And he has not got bowling in the last two matches.
In the clash against RCB on Sunday, when Rajat Patidar was already set and effective against spin, the decision to introduce Noor Ahmed suggests a misreading of the moment.
This fading sense of rhythm, which was once a defining characteristic of CSK’s leadership, has now carried over into Gaikwad’s public persona.
In the post-match conversation, There is a clear lack of clarity. Sometimes it seems as if Gaikwad is borrowing from Dhoni’s mannerisms without fully owning his voice. Where Dhoni was precise, Gaikwad can drift. His criticism of the bowlers after Punjab Kings chased down a target of 210 in Chepauk was misconstrued, especially considering the batting was bowled out for 121 against Rajasthan a few days earlier. In attempting to project calm authority, he risks obscuring his natural instincts.
Prepare Plan B
The psychological burden of the dugout has increased with the presence of Sanju Samson. Amidst a whirlwind of speculation, Samson is the king-in-waiting who insists that he is not. As a senior batsman and a proven captain who has led Rajasthan Royals excellently, Samson is a ready Plan B.
Even if Samson doesn’t have any immediate ambitions of a coup, his very presence in the playing eleven adds a layer of scrutiny to every bowling change Gaikwad makes.
Furthermore, confidence in captaincy is often a by-product of runs. Gaikwad, who scored a brilliant century in ODIs at the end of last year, has been disappointed at the worst possible moment. The pressure of the dry well is clearly hampering his decision-making on the field.
The roots of the current situation lie in inconsistent recruitment strategies. In 2024, Gaikwad worked with the explicit support of Dhoni and ran a respectable campaign. However, the 2025 auction made the direction unclear. CSK doubled up on experience, bringing in players like Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda, a decision that prioritized pedigree over form and ended in last place.
It was only after that failure that the franchise changed its stance. The late inclusion of young players signaled a reactive pivot, which became a complete transformation by the 2026 auction. It is not clear how Gaekwad was at the center of these decisions. Whether they shaped this change or are simply managing its consequences remains a question.
Ruturaj Gaikwad batted with young Ayush Mhatre. (AP photo)
This is not the crisis of any one person. This is a team in transition, guided by a management group under pressure. The renowned safety of the CSK environment appears less assured even under the leadership of Stephen Fleming.
Ultimately, CSK is at a crossroads. They have a young team that will inevitably have ups and downs, yet they are led by a captain who is almost flawless by the standards of the era. Whether they turn to Samson or stick with Gaikwad will define their season.
Ruturaj Gaikwad still wears the crown, but in Chennai, there are more questions than certainties.
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (AP Photo/Ejaz Rahi)
Ruturaj Gaikwad Admits his failure on Top Hurt Chennai Super Kings He elaborated on the key moments in the post-match press conference after the huge defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Chasing the target of 250 runs, CSK faltered in the beginning and were reduced to 30 runs for 3 wickets after the loss of Ruturaj. sanju samson And Ayush Mhatre. Despite the enthusiastic response later, the initial damage proved decisive. Reflecting on the fight, Ruturaj said in the post-match conference: “To be honest, I was surprised too. Somewhat spectacular fight by Sarfaraz, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton Shivam Dubey. So I think, maybe if I had contributed more at the top of the order, you never know, we would have chased it down. So it’s definitely on me today.” He highlighted how efforts were made Sarfaraz KhanPrashant Veer and Jamie Overton kept CSK in the contest for a while, but admitted that the game had already slipped away due to a poor start. Ruturaj also elaborated on a key moment in the field which could have changed the momentum. Virat Kohli Was dismissed early and RCB took full advantage. Speaking about that phase he said: “As you rightly said, if we had taken advantage of Virat Kohli early, I think, I mean, maybe we would have had the momentum. But I think, the game was still in our hands until the 13th, 14th over, and that’s when the momentum really changed.” That turnaround came dramatically at the death, when Tim David broke the CSK attack. Ruturaj told that he almost had a chance to get him out earlier. At that moment, he said in the press conference: “Well, you are right, KP. I think, Anshul almost got his wicket. It is unfortunate to have an illegal delivery, but yes, after that, he hit it all around the park and, as you rightly said, hats off to him.” RCB’s late lead powered by Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar And David completely stole the game. For Ruturaj, the path was clear. Missed chances, a strong start with the bat and a brutal finish from the opposition combined to seal CSK’s fate.
Kolkata Knight Riders are still looking for their first win of the IPL 2026 season, and their wait could continue for reasons beyond cricket. After defeats against Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, KKR now face the threat of rain ahead of their third match on Monday, April 5.
Led by Ajinkya Rahane, KKR are set to take on last year’s finalists Punjab Kings, captained by Shreyas Iyer. This is an important early-season clash, but attention may increasingly turn to the season, which threatens to play a major role.
What do the forecasts suggest?
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), there is every possibility of rain during the match window. There is a possibility of another round of Kalbaisakhi storm in this area.
“The state is likely to see another round of Kalbaisakhi storm, with hailstorm and thunderstorm likely from Sunday to Thursday. The intensity and spread of rain is expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday,” the IMD said.
“The weather is expected to become more severe on Tuesday, when Kalbaisakhi storm with winds reaching 50-60 kmph, lightning and rain is likely to affect Kolkata and adjoining areas.”
AccuWeather also indicates a risk of disruption, with a 51 per cent chance of rainfall around 6pm IST, just before the toss. This increases the possibility of delays or competition being shortened.
What happens if the game is delayed?
If rain interrupts play, there is a limited time to complete the match. At least five overs of play must be played for a result to be obtained.
The cut-off time for the start of the match is 10:56 PM IST. In that case, the toss will have to take place by 10:46 PM IST. Any delay beyond this would mean that the match would have no result.
Five-over contests are usually fast-paced and unpredictable. Teams are forced to attack from the start, leaving little room for cautious play.
If no game is possible, both sides will share one point each.
With both form and weather working against them, KKR are hopeful that conditions will improve and they will finally get a chance to open their account this season.
New Delhi: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore continued their dream run in IPL 2026 with an impressive 43-run win. Chennai Super Kings On Sunday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, on the back of a sensational batting performance and timely strikes with the ball.Coming into bat, RCB made a cautious start on a slightly difficult surface and remained boundary-free in the first three overs. Virat Kohli Looked the most confident early on, while Phil Salt gradually found his rhythm. The innings gained momentum after the powerplay, in which Salt (46) and Devdutt Padikkal made important partnerships.
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After this Padikkal took the responsibility and took the innings forward by scoring 50 runs in 29 balls.However, the real carnage unfolded in the death overs. Captain after Padikkal’s dismissal Rajat Patidar joined forces with tim davidAnd both launched a brutal attack. David was particularly devastating, scoring an unbeaten 70 off just 25 balls, which included eight sky-scraping sixes. Patidar played a brilliant inning of 48* runs in 19 balls and RCB reached a huge score of 250/3.In reply, CSK had a bad start while chasing the target. Jacob Duffy dismissed both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson early, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar put Ayush Mhatre in trouble by dismissing him. Despite early setbacks, Sarfaraz Khan mounted a brilliant counter-attack, scoring a half-century in 24 balls and taking CSK to 77 in the powerplay.Just when CSK looked to rebuild, Krunal Pandya Turned the game around by dismissing Sarfaraz on his very first ball and Karthik Sharma soon after. A brilliant one-handed catch by Jitesh Sharma to dismiss Shivam Dubey further weakened the chase.Although Prashant Weir (43) and Jamie Overton (37) offered resistance, the required rate continued to rise. Bhuvneshwar (3/41) and Krunal (2/36) ensured regular breakthroughs, while Suyyash Sharma impressed with his control.CSK were eventually all out for 207 in 19.4 overs, falling well behind. With this emphatic win, RCB not only extended their winning streak but also strengthened their position as early title contenders. CSK, on the other hand, now find themselves at the bottom of the table with three consecutive losses in the new season. Brief Score: RCB 250/3 (20 overs) beat CSK 207 (19.4 overs) by 43 runs
Virat Kohli was part of a special and emotional evening at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, when the iconic Bengaluru venue honored two of India’s greatest cricketers, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble, by naming their ends after them.
The Rahul Dravid End and Anil Kumble End were officially unveiled at a ceremony attended by their family members, former teammates and Karnataka State Cricket Association officials. Kohli, who has built a strong relationship with Chinnaswamy as the talisman of Royal Challengers Bangalore over the years, was present at the venue, adding a modern connection with an event rooted in heritage.
KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad, a long-time teammate of both Dravid and Kumble, oversaw the unveiling ceremony along with vice-president Sujit Somasundar. The decision to honor both the legends, in recognition of their immense contribution to Indian and Karnataka cricket, was first announced on 14 February.
The former BEML end at the stadium has now been renamed after Dravid, who scored 24,177 international runs and is considered one of India’s greatest batsmen. The pavilion end is named after Kumble, who took 956 international wickets and remains one of the country’s greatest match-winners.
Speaking at the event, Dravid described Chinnaswamy as his “second home”, reflecting on the countless hours he spent on the field during his career. He thanked KSCA for the honor and said it was a moment that meant a lot to both him and his family.
Dravid’s mother Pushpa and brother Vijay were present at the ceremony, while Kumble was present with his wife Chetna and their children. The evening struck a balance between celebration and emotion, as the achievements of two legends were recognized at a place that played a significant role in shaping their journey.
With Kohli in attendance, the moment is a reminder of the strong heritage of Indian cricket, connecting great players of the past with the current generation.
The crisis within the Bangladesh Cricket Board has deepened, with several people resigning from the board even before completing six months in office, raising questions over its stability.Seven of the 25 directors have already resigned, including four who resigned after Saturday’s board meeting. The exit has increased uncertainty over the future of the current administration.
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Despite the situation, BCB President aminul islam Said on Sunday that he would not step down. His comments came as the investigation into alleged malpractices and abuse of power in last year’s elections submitted its report to the Bangladesh government.The board is facing pressure from the Sports Ministry, which has raised questions over the validity of the election, Bangladesh’s absence from the T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka and allegations of political interference and favoritism within the BCB.The four directors who resigned on April 4 are Saniyan Tanim, Mehrab Alam, Faiyazur Rahman and Manjurul Alam.“I will sit in my chair, what else can I do? I will be the last one to go,” Aminul told Jamuna TV on Saturday, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo. “I have a very good, dedicated and honest team [in the BCB]. I want to serve Bangladesh cricket with this team.”“No one is indispensable. I was alone.” [Bangladeshi] To work in ICC. I am not saying that I am a big person, but I am sitting here because of my experience. I left everything to come here to support my country. If it is no longer mine then I will look for another way. But I want to support my country.”“Our team (board of directors) is good and they are dedicated and honest so I want to work with this team and serve Bangladesh cricket,” he said. “We could not work with freedom even for a day because an external force was always troubling us and is still troubling us. Our cricket is stagnant and I have said many times that an external force is troubling us and because of that the pace of our cricket has slowed down.”Aminul said he could not appear before the inquiry committee due to schedule conflicts and instead submitted a written reply.“I did not face the committee. I was busy with two different meetings, so the dates clashed with their schedule for me. I gave them my response in writing,” he said, adding, “I was not involved in anything [in the board elections]. I was involved in an area which is now under investigation. I will not go into details, but I can say that as per our constitution, an ad-hoc committee runs the district sports organization. It is clearly stated that the name [of councillors] “Must come from within the ad-hoc committee.”“When only three names came from within those ad-hoc committees, we were forced to rewrite them. We said please send names from within your ad-hoc committee. It’s the only thing I was involved in,” he said.Aminul was appointed BCB president in May 2025 after replacing Farooq Ahmed as a government-backed director on the board. He later contested elections in October and was elected President.Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal had alleged misconduct and abuse of power against Aminul and withdrew from the election race.
Ahead of Lucknow Super Giants’ match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rishabh Pant made no commitment about his starting spot. When Pant was asked at the time of the toss whether he would open the innings, he showed a faint smile and struggled to give a straight answer. After a brief pause, he told broadcaster Pommy Mbangwa that he would decide on the batting order when his turn came.
Pant’s response raises an important question, has LSG started to rethink their plans after just one game this season?
In his opening match against Delhi Capitals, Pant had promoted himself to open the innings with Mitchell Marsh. Despite his good performances last season, the move pushed in-form Aiden Markram down the order.
However, Pant failed to take advantage of the opportunity and was out after scoring just 7 runs from 9 balls before being run out at the non-striker’s end. The early shock left LSG reeling on home soil and they never really recovered.
LSG could score only 141 runs, which Pant’s former team Delhi Capitals easily achieved in 17.1 overs. After the match, Pant was seen having an animated discussion with the team owner and coach, a moment that reminded many of KL Rahul’s time in the franchise.
On Sunday, in LSG’s second match of the season, Pant’s inability to give clear answers about his batting position raised further concerns about the clarity of the team’s approach. The wicketkeeper-batsman had done important work before the season, Which also includes training with Yuvraj SinghIn an attempt to revive his white-ball career, which has been stalled in recent times.
But the fact that the captain appears unsure of his role after just one game is an ominous sign for LSG fans.
Meanwhile, in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s first home match of the season, Rishabh Pant won the toss and decided to bowl first, believing the pitch would be difficult in the first six overs.
LSG made one change to their playing eleven, with Manimaran Siddhartha replacing Anrich Nortje.
Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan was happy to return to Hyderabad and the support of the home crowd. He stressed the importance of remaining calm and executing plans well in T20 cricket.
“It’s always good to have support at home and the crowd loves the SRH team. So yes, very happy to be here. There are only two changes. Livingstone comes in and Harshal Patel comes in. Harshal Patel, whenever he has bowled here, has done well. And Livi has given him a chance to use his off-spin against left-handed batsmen as well,” Ishan said at the toss.
“Especially in T20, execution is the most important thing. You have to be in a good mind, stay calm and try to save as many runs as possible. So just plan well and execute on your balls. And I guess let’s see how it goes from there. It’s really important for us to get these two points. But at the same time, we need to stay calm, focus on one match at a time. And that’s the whole plan. In a good mind Be like I said before, and just play your best game.” Kishan added.
While LSG is coming off the back of a defeat, SRH had defeated KKR in their previous game. Ishan Kishan’s side will be hoping to build on this with their first home win of the season.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) finds itself at a crossroads, hoping for stability on the cricket front while grappling with deep uncertainty in its administration. The key decisions taken during the fourth meeting of the board of directors in Dhaka on Saturday underline the dual story of long-term planning and immediate crisis management.Leadership continuity and coaching signals boost cricket sustainabilityIn a major move, the BCB confirmed its leadership structure across all formats. Mehdi Hasan Miraz will remain Bangladesh’s ODI captain until the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, while Liton Das will lead the T20 team until the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028.To strengthen the leadership depth, Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Saif Hasan have been named vice-captains for ODIs and T20Is respectively. These decisions reflect the Board’s intention to provide continuity and clarity in leadership during a crucial phase for Bangladesh cricket.The board also strengthened its coaching setup by appointing former spinner Mohammad Rafiq as a specialist spin-bowling coach and consultant for a one-year stint. A pioneer of Bangladesh cricket, Rafiq is expected to play a key role in nurturing spin talent at all levels.Progress on the field is already visible under Mehdi, with Bangladesh recording notable series wins against the West Indies in 2025 and against Pakistan earlier this year.Beyond team matters, the BCB approved a new HR policy aimed at improving transparency and efficiency. It also launched two digital platforms, Player Data App and Cloud Server App, to enhance performance analysis and data-driven decision making.Administrative crisis deepened due to wave of resignationsHowever, these prudent steps have been taken amid growing instability within the board. Three directors: Saniyan Tanim, Mehrab Alam and Fayezur Rehman resigned on Saturday, taking the total number of departures from the current board to six.His exit follows the recent resignation of Yasir Mohammad Faisal Ashiq, raising concerns over internal strife. Earlier, Amjad Hussain and Ishtiaq Sadiq had also resigned citing personal reasons.An inquiry committee formed by the BCB is expected to submit its report by April 9, after which the government will decide on the future of the board. There is growing speculation that the board could be disbanded, with an ad-hoc committee being formed as a contingency, which could be headed by a former Bangladesh captain.BCB demands change in relations with BCCIAmid the uncertainty, the BCB is also attempting to rebuild strained relations with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Relations between the two boards had soured after Bangladesh pulled out of the T20 World Cup due to security concerns.The situation worsened after Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL participation became a point of controversy, ultimately resulting in Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland in the tournament.The fallout extended to bilateral cricket, with Bangladesh women’s tour of India canceled and India’s scheduled white-ball tour of Bangladesh in September remaining in doubt.In an effort to restore normalcy, the BCB has approached the BCCI proposing fresh engagement and exchange programmes. Chairman of cricket operations Nazmul Abedin expressed hope of getting a response soon and called it part of regular communication between cricket boards.
On a surface that required more patience than power at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capitals outclassed Mumbai Indians to clinch two spots out of two in IPL 2026.
While Sameer Rizvi scored a fluent 90 DC’s six-wicket win over MI made headlinesThe foundation for this had been laid earlier in the evening by Mukesh Kumar, who once again showed the value of discipline with the new ball and implemented a methodology that has come to define his T20 bowling.
There is a tendency to chase novelty in the format, relying on variations that can baffle batsmen ready to attack. Instead, what Mukesh is creating is a much older craft, based on the control of length and the discipline of repetition.
hazelwood t20 impression
In that sense, the reference point is clear. Josh Hazlewood has made his career on surprising batsmen rather than denying them the chance, and his IPL The 2025 season was an extension of that philosophy.
Taking 22 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 8.77, he led Royal Challengers Bangalore to their first title through consistent accuracy rather than fancy variations.
Mukesh, for his part, is starting to work in a similar mold, leaning on those principles and making them the center of his methodology.
Is Mukesh Kumar the most reliable fast bowler for DC after Starc? (Photo: PTI)
“Last year, we saw the way Hazlewood bowled; he consistently hit Test lengths. Our coach advised me to focus on my strengths and target that area. It is difficult to score runs on this length, especially if the ball is turning,” Mukesh said after DC’s win over MI in Delhi.
The phrase “Test length” may seem counterintuitive in the context of T20, but its importance lies in the doubt it creates. It sits in that awkward zone, neither full enough to drive nor short enough to pull with authority and, even with a hint of help on the surface, it makes mistakes rather than inviting strokes. Mukesh has returned to that area with increasing confidence.
When the season started, Mukesh Kumar was not seen as an automatic selection. The competition was hard to ignore, especially with Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi pushing his bid after an impressive domestic season.
After this Mukesh told how he won the trust of Delhi Capitals management to confirm his place in the playing eleven for the start of the season.
“There are practice matches before the IPL season. If you perform well there, the management supports you. I performed well in the practice match. So, the team has supported me. The performance is visible.”
Mukesh took a big step
And in the first two matches for Delhi Capitals, the Bihar pacer has quietly shown why he remains ahead of the pecking order based on the experience he already has in India colors across all formats.
in Lucknow, During Delhi’s opening game of the season, That intention became clear during the powerplay itself. He bowled three overs with the new ball at less than a run per ball, not through exaggerated action but through control. There was enough swing to bring the batsman forward and enough seam to keep the lead in the game. However, what was more telling was his refusal to ease the pressure. There was little width on offer, and he rarely made a mistake in length, especially against Mitchell Marsh, who was repeatedly forced to play in front of square. Luck also intervened, with a run out involving Rishabh Pant going in their favour, but the spell was composed of control rather than chance.
Then, against Mumbai Indians, the Bihar-born seamer started searching both sides of the wicket, but the improvement came quickly. The line straightened out, the length fell right out, and the batsmen’s reaction began to follow a familiar pattern. Ryan Rickelton, after being tied down, went looking for a release shot and instead edged out the fielder, guiding an errant stroke towards mid-off, where Axar Patel completed the chance.
Mukesh Kumar played a key role in DC’s victory with his 2/26 spell. (Photo: PTI)
Tilak Verma lasted only two balls. The 114.7 kph ball was no surprise in itself, but it worked because it followed a sequence that had already closed down the scoring options. The shot was checked, timing was absent and Mukesh completed an easy return catch.
His figures of 3-0-26-2 tell only part of the story. This mantra was less about taking wickets in isolation and more about shaping the phase of the innings.
“You have to read the pitch first, whether it is slow or not. You have to make your plan accordingly. Here, if you hit the pitch hard, the bounce is generally less. I focused on that and mixed it with the cutter,” he said after the game.
“My mindset is still to take wickets. That’s why I was bowling at the stumps. I was looking to attack.”
The emphasis on attacking the stumps is a natural extension of the length he is aiming for. This limits scoring areas, brings both edges into play, and forces batsmen to create options rather than reach for them. It’s a method that requires belief, especially in a format where even good balls can go missing.
Focus on India’s comeback
At 32, Mukesh is in that difficult phase of a fast bowler’s career where every spell is a statement. His India debut in all formats came during the tour of the Caribbean in 2023, but opportunities have become less frequent since then. Then again, this IPL is more than any other season. For Delhi Capitals, it is about marching towards an elusive first title; For Mukesh, it is about forcing him back into national identity.
There has been no dramatic change in his art, only refinement. Mukesh has leaned towards discipline, closing in on a test length and hitting it consistently. The method is subtle but effective, based not on flair but control, stacking dot balls, squeezing the batsmen and varying the pace inch by inch.
And there is a clear trace of Josh Hazlewood in that approach.
