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In a high-scoring match at Ahmedabad on Tuesday, Punjab Kings defeated Gujarat Titans to kick off their campaign in spectacular fashion. Punjab was in trouble as Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler went all guns blazing in the middle overs, even though they had scored 243/5 in the first innings. Gujarat appeared to be able to pursue after reaching 170 runs by the 14th over. However, Punjab won easily on Tuesday thanks to some outstanding pacer bowling in the final overs. Between the 15th and 17th overs, Punjab conceded just 18 runs, totally stopping GT's momentum. As the former RCB pacer carried out the wide yorker strategy against Sherfane Rutherford, Impact Sub Vijaykumar Vyshak was essential to the team's strategies.
Shubman Gill praises Vyshak
Speaking after the match, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill also praised PBKS pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak. He said it is never easy for anyone to join the game at the 15th over as an Impact sub and bowl such crucial overs. He credited his overs for funnelling down their runs and creating pressure on their batters, which eventually resulted in their loss.
"I think we got our chances when we were bowling and batting. Too many runs were given away. We let ourselves down on the field as well. Those three overs in the middle when we scored 18 runs, that and the first three overs we didn't score too many runs. That costed us the game. Many positives as well. Good start to the tournament I guess. (on Vyshak) Never easy for someone to come in as an Impact player and bowl those yorkers when you have been on the bench for 15 overs. Credit to them for bowling yorkers on the trot. I mean it is always a good batting wicket here to bat on. You might score 240-250, but you have to restrict the opposition as well," said Gill after the match.
Up until the 14th over of the match, GT had done everything correctly while chasing 244 at home. After the powerplay, they scored more than 11 runs per over and amassed 169 runs for two wickets. They had Sherfane Rutherford and Jos Buttler at the crease, and they were not letting the fast bowlers get away with anything. Rutherford was unaware of the angles that Vyshak was generating from over the wicket, so Ponting used the former RCB fast bowler as the Impact Sub and set him loose on him.
Jansen and Vyshak sucked the life out of the Gujarat innings between the 15th and the 18th over, conceding just 18 runs in 3 overs, far less than what GT were aiming for. Vyshak's strategy was straightforward: bowl full and wide to Rutherford with the field spread out on the offside.
The West Indian always tried to walk into the line and hit it through the leg side, which helped Vyshak bowl a further wide line, which, in this IPL, does not count as a wide because of the Hawk-Eye this season. Vyshak was, of course, lucky, as several of his waist-high full tosses did not count as no-balls, again because of the Hawk-Eye. Vyshak made the most of the new rules on the day, which should help him for the rest of the season.
Perhaps Ponting wants to give players as many alternatives as possible in both game areas. In the event that players have bad days, this side is always a safety net. And that, along with the manner in which Ponting has assembled the team, is what makes Punjab so special this season. In the upcoming games, on the really horrible days that Punjab frequently has, we will learn more about the team. However, you must give Ponting credit for one thing: On his first day, he delivered on his promise of fearless cricket, which he had made at the beginning of the season.
