Kumar Kushagra was not even 18 when he turned the youngest to attain a 250-plus rating in a First-Class match. That innings, towards Nagaland in March 2022 in the course of the Ranji Trophy, got here at a strike charge of 98.88, with 37 fours and two sixes.
The East Zone batter likes taking up the bowlers and has a precocious understanding of which pictures to play and the place precisely to hit them.
“On the increased degree, if you happen to stay in defensive mode, the bowlers will pounce on you. Initially, if you happen to hit the bowler for two-three sixes or good boundaries, then the bowler begins going as per your sport plan,” Kushagra instructed Sportstar.
“I at all times wish to dominate the sport. I’ve at all times felt that dominating is extra worthwhile,” he added.
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Kushagra’s mentality of taking up “any bowler” has been on show in the course of the ongoing Deodhar Trophy the place he performed two essential knocks – 98 vs North Zone and 53 vs West Zone – and has scored 159 runs in 4 innings with the assistance of eight sixes and as many fours.
His use of the crease and stepping out towards the spinners has been a spotlight to look at, one thing which he has practised earlier than coming to the Southern a part of the nation the place the ball turns extra and bounces much less.
Riyan Parag (L) and Kumar Kushagra (R), East Zone batter in Motion towards West Zone in Deodhar Trophy 2023 on the CAP Floor 2.
| Picture Credit score:
Mayank/Sportstar
Riyan Parag (L) and Kumar Kushagra (R), East Zone batter in Motion towards West Zone in Deodhar Trophy 2023 on the CAP Floor 2.
| Picture Credit score:
Mayank/Sportstar
“Stepping out is one thing I’ve practised. Once we come to South, the wickets are sluggish, so the ball doesn’t come onto the bat, so it’s higher to achieve the ball and hit reasonably than anticipate the ball the place the possibilities of hitting it’s low.”
The 2 memorable innings Kushagra performed within the final week got here whereas one other teenager, Riyan Parag, was on the crease with him. Towards North, the duo added 235 runs for the sixth wicket, and, after East was decreased to 57 for 5 and towards West, the pair as soon as once more joined palms to sew collectively 150.
“Our communication is sort of good. Earlier than the sport we sit down collectively and speak about which bowler to focus on, how the pitch is behaving, and what the bowler is doing,” he stated.
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“Since we play at such positions, we all know we are able to’t afford to lose our wickets, so the main focus is at all times to stay calm and assault on the similar time.”
Throughout Tuesday’s sport, with the ball spinning and never coming onto the bat properly, the duo determined to take the sport deep after coming to the crease within the thirty first over with 157 on the board. The duo centered on taking the singles reasonably than making an attempt huge pictures, nevertheless it didn’t appear as if they had been working quick, in all probability preserving vitality on a sizzling and humid day in Puducherry.
“We initially focused round 240 runs however as soon as we bought set, we determined to assault, and with some extraordinary hits went previous 300 runs.”