Dinesh Karthik, the India star currently in a rich vein of form at the IPL, has revealed the three breakthrough uncapped Indian pacers he's been most impressed by at IPL 2022.
In the latest episode of the ICC Review, Karthik, who has so far scored 285 runs at a fine strike-rate of 192.56, picked three uncapped Indian pacers who have stood out to him the most.
Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings)
Matches: 13 | Wickets: 10 | Economy: 7.82
A member of India's triumphant ICC Under-19 World Cup squad in 2018, Arshdeep Singh has come of age in IPL 2022. The Punjab pacer has not been among the top wicket-takers, but he has been exceptional in the death overs.
Having made his IPL debut in 2019, the 2021 season was one of the best for Arshdeep as he claimed 18 wickets in 12 matches. His performances meant Punjab retained him ahead of the mega auction, and he has continued to impress this year.
He has improved his pace and boasts an exceptional economy of 7.82 so far this tournament – for context, Punjab teammate and international star Kagiso Rabada's is 8.36 – despite a majority of his overs coming in the death.
What Karthik said
"[I have been impressed by] Arshdeep Singh because he has been so good at the death, I think he has bowled some lovely yorkers and has a lot of control. Even though they have a world-class bowler (Kagiso Rabada) in their lineup, at times, he has stood up for them solely with the ball and I enjoy that about him."
Yash Dayal (Gujarat Titans)
Matches: 6 | Wickets: 9 | Economy: 9.38
Dayal made a big impression on his maiden IPL outing this year, snaring 3/40 against Rajasthan Royals. He hasn't looked back, taking six further wickets in five matches at an economy of 9.38.
His performances in the 2021 Vijay Hazare Trophy, in which he claimed 14 wickets in seven matches at an economy of just 3.78, made people take notice. He was a net bowler for India ahead of the Test against New Zealand in Kapur, and was later a backup bowler due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the Indian camp ahead of the ODI series against West Indies.
Gujarat bought him at the IPL auction for INR 3.2 crore – a figure 16 times higher than his base price – after seeing off Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore in an intense bidding war.
What Karthik said
"He has been a terrific find. He has been able to move the ball both ways with the new ball and I enjoy that about him."
Mohsin Khan (Lucknow Super Giants)
Matches: 8 | Wickets: 13 | Economy: 5.93
After warming the bench during his time with Mumbai Indians over the last two years, Mohsin has made the most of his opportunity this time around after Lucknow snapped him up in the auction.
In only eight games so far, the left-arm pacer has claimed 13 wickets at an economy of just 5.93. He has displayed big-match temperament too – his 3/20 against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday, which featured a delivery clocked at 151kph, helped book Lucknow's place in the IPL 2022 playoffs.
What Karthik said
"He got picked late in the tournament but he is making sure when he bowls, the heavy ball that he bowls ... he has bowled some brilliant spells. He has consistently bowled at less than six runs an over, and he has been really impressive with his slower ball as well."
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Dinesh Karthik on India's pace revolution
Over the last decade, India has had a massive upturn in the number of quality pace bowlers coming through. It's a markedly different trend to the old days, when an express bowler in the Indian line-up was a novelty.
The change – credited to the IPL – has helped India seal Test wins overseas, most notably in Australia where they have secured series wins consecutively in 2018/19 and 2020/21.
When quizzed about what sets apart the current generation of fast bowlers from those of yesteryear, Karthik's response was quick: "Speed".
"I think bowling 140-plus in the past was a novelty. Now it has become a very common thing," he went on. "There are almost three Indian fast bowlers in all the 10 IPL franchises bowling 140-plus.
"One person (Umran Malik) has bowled 157 – that is some serious pace. Speed has become a major factor and once they have got that, the other skills that are required to become a better bowler, they start working on, they start improving on it and they become better bowlers.
"That's what makes the tournament so competitive and so beautiful to watch."
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