Kumar Kushagra, whose unbeaten 48-ball 84 at No. 3 helped Jharkhand publish 207 for 3 and safe a 28-run win in opposition to Tamil Nadu within the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on the Narendra Modi Stadium B-Floor on Saturday, stated he needed to take his innings deep on a gradual morning floor.
“The wicket was a bit sticky. Each time you’re taking part in a sport early within the morning, it’s at all times sticky right here in Ahmedabad. So, I used to be simply attempting to take the innings as deep as I may,” he stated after the win within the Elite Group-D sixth-round conflict.
The 21-year-old was happy along with his timing in opposition to the brand new ball within the PowerPlay, crediting a pointy two-day tune-up along with his father-trainer Shashikant earlier than the event.
“Fortunately, our final Ranji Trophy match was at residence (Jamshedpur). After that, I labored with my father for 2 days. Since I used to be getting the possibility to play at No. 3, I needed to hit pictures, however on the identical time, I simply needed to take the innings deep. I needed to study to make use of the PowerPlay, the place I simply wanted to time the ball. It’s not nearly hitting the ball however timing it initially. When the ball is swinging, it’s a must to time it into the gaps and chip it over the infielders. That’s what I labored on with my father, and it actually helped,” he stated.
READ: Shardul Thakur units sights on ODI World Cup 2027, says he’s able to play Assessments in India
For Kushagra, a giant a part of his development has come from studying the best way to transfer past being only a power-hitter, one thing he attributes to Gujarat Titans (GT) Director of Cricket, Vikram Solanki. After shopping for him on the IPL 2025 public sale, GT has retained him for the upcoming season.
“I acquired so many ideas from Vikram sir as a result of he was with me after I wasn’t taking part in. He was with me within the nets, guiding me very properly after I was combating the brand new ball. Initially, after I got here into the IPL, I used to be only a hitter. Vikram sir taught me how I can rating within the PowerPlay. He taught me the best way to construct an innings whereas sustaining strike price and ending with a robust whole. He has helped my batting quite a bit,” he stated.
Revealed on Dec 07, 2025