When the 20-year-old Shivil Kaushik announced himself by summoning every body part of his to deliver a ball across the 22 yards, the sight bewildered everyone. Far away from India, one former spinner could not hide his glee. Seeing Kaushik make his debut for Gujarat Lions against Rising Pune Supergiants, Paul Adams’ decade-long wait to find a successor to the most painful bowling action finally came to an end.
The tribe of left-arm chinaman bowlers is indeed rare and Kaushik’s debut sparked a social media frenzy. For someone who is yet to play for his state Karnataka, Kaushik had his first victim in Australian captain Steve Smith when an indiscretion by an inch ruined his perfect start. Smith had chopped the ball back onto the stumps, but survived as replays showed the bowler had transgressed the popping crease by the slightest of margins and the ball was duly called a No Ball. He went on to score a maiden T20 ton while Kaushik returned empty handed.
Having battled anxiety and pressure in equal measure in his first game, the youngster returned calmer and wiser in his second outing against Kings XI Punjab in Rajkot. An opportunity to dismiss an Australian batsman arose again and this time, the bowler struck as Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell were sent back off successive deliveries in just his first over. Though he missed out on a hat-trick, Kaushik landed another big punch by getting rid of the KXIP captain and their top-scorer, M Vijay for 55 runs.
“The first three balls I didn’t understand what was happening. It was very difficult for me to pick whether it’s going in or coming out, but I had done my video analysis before the game and I saw a bit of his bowling,” commented Vijay.
Though disappointed at not winning the game, Kaushik said the key to his improved performance in his second game was because he wasn’t nervous anymore. “I was better prepared and less nervous. Now I know that the team has confidence in me and my ability. (Suresh) Raina bhai came and told me I’d be playing my first game.
“I got a wicket, but unfortunately it was a No Ball. I could have done better in my first game. I could have attacked the stumps more. I noticed a few things that I could have done better and tried them (against KXIP).”
Asked if he could overcome the disappointment of not being able to get Smith’s wicket, Kaushik said, “I tried to focus on the things I can control. I got over it very fast as T20 is a very fast moving game.”
Talk about his unfamiliar action and he maintains it is natural. “I was eight when I first played cricket and chinaman was my natural action. I haven’t changed my action since then. The batsmen found it difficult and my friends too said I must continue.”
Despite an action that is not smooth and the unusual head position, what has been the biggest plus is that at no point did anyone try to tinker with his bowling style.
Kaushik first joined former India wicketkeeper Sadanand Viswanath’s academy is Bengaluru and later caught the attention of Anil Kumble after winning a spin bowlers’ contest organized by his company. “Many people have supported me throughout. Many coaches have helped me and they have not tinkered with my action. Kumble sir has been very supportive.”
What separates Kaushik from Adams is his height and the jump. Kaushik is tall and does not jump like the Protea spinner did. “I was 15 and got into competitive cricket when somebody told me that I bowl like Paul Adams, and then I watched a few videos of his bowling. Being tall is definitely an advantage as I get more bounce and purchase from the wicket.”
The oddity in action may provide an upper hand, but it also comes with a drawback. With so much stress the body is put through each time he bowls, there is always a fear of an injury or a breakdown. However, the bowler asserts his body has been programmed to shoulder the load. “It is something (action) that has come naturally to me so my body does not take much of a load. My body is accustomed to the stress as this is how I’ve bowled right from the start. To get my rhythm going I just need to practice more and keep bowing.”
Before the Lions’ unleashed their trump card this season, Kaushik had been to three different franchises. He had bowled in the Royal Challengers Bangalore nets, was with the Mumbai Indians last season for about a month, and also auditioned for Rising Pune Supergiants.
Now that he is in the spotlight, Kaushik does not want to drift away. “The experience of playing in the IPL has been really good. The captain, coach and the support staff have backed me.
“It feels really nice that a lot of people are talking about me, but I think that it is more important to remain focused. At this stage, I just want to contribute to the team. I am not looking too far ahead. I just want to contribute at little places wherever I can and help the team win.”
