IPL 2017, Match 48, SRH v MI: CT Player of the Match - Siddarth Kaul

His outstanding figures of 3-24 restricted a strong Mumbai batting line-up.

By Subhankar Bhattacharya

Updated - 09 May 2017, 01:28 IST

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In a quest to secure a berth in the playoffs, the Sunrisers Hyderabad pounced on a seemingly complacent Mumbai Indians side, who are sitting pretty at the top of the charts. Playing at their fortress the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad the Sunrisers were asked to bowl first by visiting captain Rohit Sharma.

Senior Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi was back in SRH colours for the second time this season and provided his side with a miraculous start. Lendl Simmons, MI’s hero from their last game, had a short-lived stay at the crease this time around, as Nabi cleaned up the West Indian in the second over the game.

The man who enforced a vice-like grip on the attacking Mumbai Indians batsman though was Siddarth Kaul. His outstanding figures of 3/24 restricted a strong Mumbai batting line-up, and also earned him the CT Player of the Match Award.

The advent of Kaul

Siddarth’s first major international tournament was the 2008 Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. The young speedster played a vital part in India’s victory. He offered accurate line and length, which brought him ten wickets at an average of 15.40. However, a spate of injuries forced him out of the cricketing frame, resulting in his career going downhill.

2012 turned out to be a lucrative year for Kaul as he showed glimpses of improved form and fitness. Siddarth bagged 38 wickets in 13 matches. Drawing inspiration from Yuvraj Singh, he bettered his rhythm the following season. Fortunes were such for Kaul that he joined his Punjab team-mate and idol Yuvraj at Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2016 edition of the IPL. It wasn’t until 2017 that the cricketing fraternity watched this man’s ability to hold the reins of an innings, especially in the death overs.

First ball wickets

Three of Mumbai’s most dangerous batsmen joined their teammates in the dugout courtesy of Kaul’s impeccable bowling. He opened his account with his very first ball of the evening, removing the dangerous Nitish Rana who had just cost Mohammad Siraj 16 off his first over. Rana was deceived by pace – he hurried onto the shot only to lob it to mid-off.

The first ball of the 7th over saw Parthiv chipping a catch to long-on. The batsman misread a slower delivery outside off for David Warner to pouch a classy low catch.

That eventful first over after Powerplay would also have sent skipper Rohit Sharma packing for a cheap score. A sharp bouncer by Kaul ricocheted off Rohit’s helmet and bubbled up to cover for an easy catch. The graph line on Ultra-edge jumped up ever so slightly as the ball passed by Rohit’s gloves, before crashing into his helmet. In retrospect, that was a crucial ‘not out’ for Rohit as he went on to score a brilliant 67.

Nevertheless, Siddarth Kaul had the last laugh. After a well-made 67 that gave Mumbai a somewhat decent total on the board, Rohit played one onto his stumps. Kaul’s wasn’t a wicket-taking delivery, but fortunes favour the brave they say. His slower ball stopped on the surface; Rohit only managed to get an inside edge which disturbed his woodwork.

Knuckleball mastery

An economy rate of 6.00 against an aggressive MI batting line-up is exceptional as it is. What his figures didn’t project was his clever use of the knuckleball. His ability to throw these inconsistently indeed deserves a special mention here.

Kaul’s knuckleball has gradually become his wicket-taking delivery this season. These deliveries have no seam presentation nor movement and completely do away with pace, all while maintaining the same arm speed. The knuckleball simply floats to the batsman but seems to be much more effective than the slower ball. It is indeed a fresh addition to cricket and Kaul’s latest in his quiver of arrows.

All in all, it was a professional performance from young Siddarth Kaul. This man is beginning to show discipline, with a healthy tinge of variations and tricks. With the Sunrisers having qualified for the playoffs, Siddarth Kaul will have a major role to play if SRH do want to brave the knockout phase and defend their title on home soil.

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