Suryakumar Yadav is the toughest batter to bowl to in IPL matches: Tushar Deshpande


image-l6amngitTushar in Chennai Super Kings' training

The rise of Tushar Deshpande – from a ball boy in IPL 2008 to a Chennai Super Kings bowler in IPL 2022 – has been full of ups and downs. But despite frequent injuries, and also the loss of his mother in 2019 during the domestic season, the Mumbai fast bowler has never given up, and has only bounced back stronger every time.

Deshpande made his T20 debut in the senior Mumbai team in 2015, shortly after which he made his first-class debut in 2016. The List A debut, meanwhile, came in 2018. 

On the back of impressive performances across formats in domestic cricket, Deshpande was picked by the Delhi Capitals in 2020, when he scalped three wickets in five games. Despite making most of the limited chances he got that season, the pacer went unsold in the auctions for IPL 2021. 

Not the one to give up, Deshpande kept working hard in domestic cricket before being recalled into the IPL by CSK for the 2022 season. 

“The journey from a ball boy in IPL 2008 to a CSK bowler in 2022 is simply a dream coming true,” says Tushar in an interview to OneCricket. 

“There are many things to achieve in future and I would like to follow MS Dhoni’s trait of being grounded. I've admired how grounded and calm he is,” he adds.


Here are the excerpts from the chat with the CSK and MCA bowler.

What is your best memory from IPL 2022?

You can't really point out just one memory because there are so many which are best in their own way, especially when you are surrounded by your idols and seniors throughout the season day in and day out. There was lots of learning, observations, experiments on the field during practices and before I forget, the food was great too.


Any particular advice that you received from MS Dhoni or Ravindra Jadeja?

I remember one of our conversations with MS Dhoni where he stressed on "It is good that you listen to what people say or advise you, but you also should put in your own thought before actually following it or trusting them completely.” I think this makes a lot of sense and I try to follow it.

image-l6alsvopA candid picture of Tushar with the great MS Dhoni

Tell us something unique about MS Dhoni's captaincy which you haven't seen in any other captain you've played under.

MS Dhoni is a man of thought. There always is a thought behind each of his actions and decisions. He is also quite understanding when the player is at fault and keeps his calm with him. This really helps the player to stay confident in the game.


You went unsold in the IPL 2021 auction despite doing well in your debut IPL season in 2020. How tough was that phase mentally?

It is very human to be disappointed given the fact that IPL 2020 was a good year for my debut. It took a while for me to process that but I believe it's more of what you can do right now with what's there with you rather than what you don't have at the moment. So I waited patiently until the auctions for 2022, where I was eventually picked by CSK.


You are known for clocking over 140 kph on a consistent basis. How does a fast bowler like you maintain fitness?

image-l6alwccqTushar sweeting in Delhi Capitals' nets

Fitness and food goes hand in hand. You have to keep a check on both the elements if you want to see an all-round result in your performance. You can't be training hard and hogging on food later or vice versa. Choosing the right amount of food depending on the level of training is crucial too. As an athlete, I feel everyone has their own body type and their bodies respond accordingly so it's best to do it under an expert for the same.


In two seasons of the IPL, which batsmen have you found the toughest to bowl to (in the nets or in the game)?

I feel every batsman is a quality batsman in the IPL and you have to be at your best when you bowl to them. To mention a few I will say Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni are the toughest for me to bowl to in the CSK nets. In matches, I currently find Suryakumar Yadav the toughest to bowl to.

image-l6am0qmhSuryakumar Yadav in India blues