In the high-scoring Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 encounter, Gujarat Titans (GT) had named two overseas impact player options -- Sherfane Rutherford and Glenn Phillips. GT gained momentum in the mammoth run chase and sending Rutherford to bat instead of Phillips looked like a wise decision the way he started. However, as soon as Rutherford walked in, Arshdeep Singh signalled to Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer to bring Vijaykumar Vyshak as the impact player.
After the 13th over, Vyshak was brought in as replacement for Priyansh Arya. They may have brought in left-arm spinner Harpreer Brar had Phillips walked in to bat. Rutherford started well with two sixes and a four off Marcus Stoinis. In the next over, Vyshak was handed the ball. He bowled wide yorkers to Rutherford as the Caribbean batter struggled to get bat on ball or finding the fielder in the deep.
The required run rate went up. In the 17th over, he bowled a few wides but Rutherford once again struggled to get bat on ball. He conceded just 10 runs from first two overs. He bowled the penultimate over as well where he conceded two fours and a six but left 27 runs for Arshdeep to defend which he did easily. The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer did not take a wicket but was able to halt GT's momentum in the run chase. The visitors ended up winning the game by 11 runs at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Vyshak's practice pays off
Arshdeep is happy with Vyshak getting rewarded for putting in the work in the nets.
"Really happy for him, he is putting in the hard yards in the practice, was executing the yorkers really well in practice and the results showed in the game as well. If you want to miss, miss on the wider side and not on the stumps. Even if it slips, even if it's a full-toss, it won't be easy for them to hit as it's very far from their reach," Arshdeep said after PBKS' win.
Iyer on Vyshak's spell
Shreyas Iyer was all praises for Vyshak who he called a 'funny character'.
"He is a funny character. He has got traits in him where he comes in with the right attitude. He bowled the yorkers straightaway. Kept his calm and composure," the captain said in the post-match presentation.
"Arshdeep played an important role in that (the wide yorker plan). He came in and said the ball is actually reversing a bit so the saliva on the ball is helping the bowlers a bit I guess. He got Sai and that changed the momentum for us and then he came in and said let's start the wide yorkers earlier than trying it too late. Before the season started we left no stone unturned. In our meetings everyone chipped in with what we can execute on the field and it wasn't just me talking. We look to carry forward the momentum into the other games as well," he added.