IPL 2023: Vyshak Vijaykumar - The RCB Pacer Impresses On IPL Debut; All You Need To Know

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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Saturday (April 15) handed a debut cap to young Karnataka cricketer Vyshak Vijaykumar in the IPL 2023 match against Delhi Capitals at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

26-year-old Vyshak - who is a right-arm pacer - plays for Karnataka in the domestic circuit. The Bengaluru-born cricketer had a memorable IPL debut as he played for the franchise at his home ground.

Who is Vyshak Vijaykumar?

Vyshak - who was drafted into the RCB squad as a replacement to batter Rajat Patidar - has impressed with his performances in the domestic circuit for his state team.

Vyshak - who debuted for Karnataka in the 2021-22 season - has picked up 38 wickets in the 10 first-class games he has played for Karnataka at an impressive economy of 3.17.

The cricketer - who plays for Mangalore United in the Maharaja T20 - has also featured in 7 List A games and 14 T20s and took 11 and 23 wickets respectively.

Vyshak Vijaykumar IPL Debut Performance

The right-arm quick - who consistently clocked 140 kmph in the game - had a moment to cherish on his IPL debut as he got the prized wicket of Delhi Capitals captain and legendary Australia batter David Warner.

The left-handed opening batter scored 19 off 13 balls against RCB and was looking in a menacing touch even as wickets tumbled at the other end. But he mistimed the ball from Vyshak and Virat Kohli caught him at mid-wicket.

The local boy picked up his second scalp in the match by dismissing India all-rounder Axar Patel for 21 off 14 balls. The left-handed batter was also looking in good touch but was deceived by the debutant. Later, Lalit Yadav also became his victim. Vyshak finished with impressive figures of 3 for 20 from his quota of 4 overs.

Vyshak Vijaykumar's Early Days

According to Vyshak's father, he wanted to be a batter during his U-17 days and was slightly overweight. His local coach used to tease him that he can't be a fast bowler and the youngster took it as a challenge and worked on his bowling.

Vijaykumar, Vyshak's father told Free Press Journal, "During his under-17 days, Vysakh was playing for Basavangudi Cricket Club, and his concentration was on batting then and bowling occasionally. They had a coach named Ramana, and he would sometimes tease him because Vysakh was a bit overweight at the time and he would tell him he could not bowl fast. It was not rude or anything, but Ramana wanted to challenge Vysakh and make him concentrate on his bowling."

The youngster took up the challenge and his father further said, "Vysakh indeed took it as a challenge and started concentrating on bowling more and soon became good at that. Until that moment, Vysakh was working more on his batting, but now he has developed as a bowler who can contribute with the bat as well."