Aayush Thakur Credits Arshdeep Singh For Yorker Skills After DPL Fifer

Aayush Thakur, a promising bowler from Purani Dilli 6, made headlines by becoming the first to achieve a five-wicket haul in the ongoing Delhi Premier League (DPL). Thakur attributes his skill in bowling yorkers to lessons learned from Arshdeep Singh during his time as a net bowler with Punjab Kings in the IPL.

"I speak to Arshdeep Singh a lot and I am still in touch with him. I have learnt a lot from him in terms of executing my yorkers when there is dew," Ayush told reporters after the post-match ceremony.

Thakur's impressive performance helped secure a 20-run victory for Purani Dilli 6 against North Delhi Strikers on August 27. The 21-year-old, who has represented India 'B' in an Under-19 Quadrangular international series, showcased his talent by taking five wickets.

Initially starting as a batter, Thakur's career took a significant turn after joining Sonnet Cricket Club under the guidance of renowned coach Tarak Sinha. "I was ready to transform myself into a bowler because there was a lot of fight and competition in Delhi for batters so the fast bowlers were fewer in numbers at that time. I have become a fast bowler now which feels great as I am also doing well for the team," he said.

Thakur has been honing his swing bowling skills since then. "I have worked a lot on my swing bowling from the beginning. Tarak Sinha sir helped me a lot. Earlier I played state level as an opener but when I went to Sonnet, they made me a fast bowler which was a turning point in my life, so since then I have been playing state and the performances have been good too," he added.

Experience in IPL

With 12 wickets in seven matches, Thakur is currently second on the list of most wicket-takers, trailing Simarjeet Singh by just one wicket. His experience as an IPL net bowler for Punjab Kings (2022) and Lucknow Super Giants (2023) has been invaluable. "I was a net bowler in the IPL for two years for Punjab Kings (2022) and Lucknow Super Giants (2023) so I do have a lot of experience of that, so implementing that very experience here was crucial," he said.

Future Aspirations

Thakur remains focused on his future prospects, particularly eyeing opportunities in the IPL. "Yes, it is on my mind to play there (IPL) after doing well here (DPL), just have to make sure that I do not get ahead of myself and perform well for the next matches and recover in time," he stated.

The young pacer feels optimistic about his journey and future opportunities. "I feel great because it was a brilliant opportunity for us; those who do well here (DPL) will get more chances in the future, so I just kept it simple by executing my plan which I did nicely and bagged a five-wicket haul and won the match for my team," he expressed.

Thakur's dedication and hard work are evident through his achievements and aspirations. His journey from being an aspiring batter to becoming one of DPL's standout bowlers highlights his adaptability and commitment to cricket.