‘I’m Not as Fast as 155 kmph Bowlers’: Vijaykumar Vyshak Opens Up on T20 Strategy

Punjab Kings pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak believes adaptability and tactical awareness are just as important as raw pace in modern T20 cricket, particularly in high-scoring environments.

Known for delivering in crucial phases of the innings, Vyshak reflected on how he approaches bowling across different match situations, including powerplays and death overs.

"I'm not as fast as those bowling 155 kmph, but I can bowl around 140-144 kmph. I love challenges. It doesn't matter if I bowl three overs in the powerplay or four in the death; as long as I am contributing to the team, I am happy."

The pacer also spoke about how his skill set has evolved over time, especially through dedicated off-season preparation and the addition of variations.

"You can't play on this stage without hard work in net sessions. I have great coaches back home and inspiration from my Karnataka seniors. Playing domestic cricket in India, where you face international stars, also helped my confidence. Because of video analysts, you have to keep getting better. I try to bring a new delivery or variation every season."

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Vyshak emphasised the importance of confidence and execution in high-pressure situations, particularly in the final overs when margins are extremely tight.

"It's about how I feel. If I'm confident and nailing my yorkers, the batsman doesn't matter. If I get hit for a boundary, I just get back to my run-up."

He also shared insights into how tactical bowling plans are executed against in-form batters, highlighting a specific example from a previous match.

"Against [Ayush] Mhatre, the plan was instinctive from the captain because he was hitting well to the leg side. We forced him to hit toward point and third man, which helped restrict the total."

Looking ahead, Vyshak reiterated that his long-term motivation remains representing India, particularly in the longest format of the game.

"Every cricketer dreams of wearing the Indian cap for Test matches. It still gives me chills to think about. For now, I want to do well in this format and hopefully play for the Indian team soon."

As IPL batting standards continue to rise, bowlers like Vyshak are proving that success is not only about speed, but also about strategy, adaptability, and composure under pressure.