CHENNAI: Fast bowlers are intrinsically possessed of fiery souls. Be it the snarl on the follow-through or the demonic glare at the batsmen, the “hoohs” or sighs, they are the most expressive men on the field, though not necessarily chirpy like close-in fieldsmen. Not Tamil Nadu medium pacer Jagannathan Kaushik though.
He strides in, hustles than bustles, with an uncomplicated action. The ball does nothing untoward, neither does it deviate wickedly or hurry the batsmen. It’s commonplace stuff, one might presume, but as batsmen would confess, he can’t be gotten away.
The 26-year-old isn’t a man of excesses. He just has the sufficient pre-requisites at the right measure to prosper at this level, as he proved this year. With a haul of 28 wickets at 21.78 in seven matches, he has been Tamil Nadu’s surprise punch this year. And he shows nothing of the effervescence spotted in someone who has enjoyed such success in his debut season.
The calmness is reminiscent of a young Lakshmipathy Balaji, whom he looks up to on the field and in the dressing room. “He’s someone whom I have grown up watching and playing with him is obviously a great experience. I just listen to him and bowl accordingly, try and hit the right areas and induce batsmen to play their shots,” he said.
Hence, he has kept the slip-cordon and the wicket-keeper busy, like in the quarterfinal against Maharashtra, wherein he polished off their middle and lower order in a penetrative spell of 5-1-19-5. Most of his wickets were sequential, inducing the batsmen to drive, moving the ball a shade away and procuring the outside edge. Not that he is one-dimensional. He uses the bouncer and yorker sparingly, more as a surprise weapon. But importantly, he is aware of his abilities and limitations.
“We have specific plans and roles for every one, and my role is to bowl full and swing the new ball. That’s how I’ve taken most of my wickets,” he pointed out.
The Chemplast employer will surely be in contention for an IPL contract, more so as Chennai Super Kings is desperately scouting for a local medium pacer. “Such thoughts are not passing through my mind. Presently I’m just focused on giving my best for Tamil Nadu,” he said. Naturally, skipper Balaji is pleased with his success.
“His hard work has paid off, and this season he has been vital for our progress. The best thing is that he is untiring and keen to improve,” he said. This particular attribute has shone through his success this season, and if the indication is any, there are many more to come.
