Coach Badruddin Siddiqui's Pride as Mohsin Khan Shines for Lucknow Super Giants
For veteran coach Badruddin Siddiqui, Wednesday evening at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow was a moment of immense satisfaction. Two of his proteges, trained since their early teens, were bowling in tandem for the Lucknow Super Giants against the Delhi Capitals. While Mohammed Shami struck early by removing KL Rahul, it was left-arm quick Mohsin Khan who truly captured attention with a wicket-maiden over, dismissing Nitish Rana and stifling his Uttar Pradesh teammate Sameer Rizvi.
The Fielding Dive That Symbolized Transformation
In his first three overs, Mohsin conceded just six runs, with Rizvi managing only two runs off ten balls and Tristan Stubbs scoring four off six. However, Badruddin Siddiqui reveals to TimesofIndia.com that it wasn't the bowling that impressed him most. "On the fifth ball of the 12th over, the 27-year-old made a full-stretched dive to save two runs at third man," Badruddin recalls. "Mohsin's effort forced me to jump out of my couch."
"Ab darr khatam ho chuka hai (He is not afraid anymore)," Badruddin explains. "If a fast bowler whose career has been marred by injuries is diving in the field, it means just one thing. He is supremely fit." This moment marked a significant psychological breakthrough for a bowler who had never dived in his life before.
A Career Derailed by Multiple Injuries
Mohsin Khan burst onto the scene during IPL 2022, claiming 14 wickets in 10 matches with an impressive economy rate of 5.96, coming close to an India call-up. However, a serious shoulder injury sidelined him for an entire year, followed by a groin injury and the devastating tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
"Injuries become part and parcel of any fast bowler. But Mohsin has been a bit unfortunate," Badruddin acknowledges. Despite missing the first half of IPL 2023, Mohsin made a remarkable comeback by defending 11 runs in the final over against Mumbai Indians.
Mohammad Shami's Transformative Influence
Throughout these frustrating years, Mohammad Shami emerged as Mohsin's crucial mentor. Mohsin resides at Shami's farmhouse in Alinagar, Bihar, where their partnership began during the lockdown. "Shami has helped him a lot, right from the start," Badruddin emphasizes. "The results were there for everyone to see in IPL 2022."
Badruddin attributes Mohsin's previous struggles partly to modern distractions. "It is his fault. He is a gifted athlete. But nowadays youngsters have this fascination with the gym and posting videos on social media," he observes.
The Pivotal Conversation About Training Philosophy
Badruddin shares a revealing conversation from last year's IPL between Shami and Mohsin. "We were having tea at Shami's farmhouse, and Mohsin was just coming out of the gym. I remember Shami's words, 'Mohsin miyaan, gym se body ban jayegi, bowling nahi' (Gym can shape your body, not your bowling)," Badruddin laughs.
The stern remark left Mohsin shocked. "His jaw dropped," Badruddin recollects. This moment catalyzed a fundamental shift in Mohsin's approach. "A fast bowler should train on the ground. If you want to bowl at 140 kph, you have to grind on the field. Gym se bowling improve nahi hoti (Your bowling will not improve in the gym)," Badruddin asserts.
Technical Improvements and Physical Advantages
Standing six feet three inches tall, Mohsin possesses unique physical attributes. "Mohsin is tall and his ball climbs onto a batter quicker than Shami," Badruddin analyzes. "You tell me how many left-arm quicks can swing the ball both ways at 140 kmph and generate such a steep bounce. No one in India at present."
Over the past twelve months, Mohsin has returned to basics with rigorous running, bowling, and field training, often with Shami shouting motivation: "India khelna hai ya nahi? (Do you want to play for India or not?)"
Lifestyle Changes and Career Extension
Mohsin has not only altered his training regimen but also worked on technical aspects of his bowling. "He has worked on his wrist position. He has added a few more steps to his run-up. It has helped him gain more rhythm," Badruddin notes.
The coach emphasizes the importance of fitness for career longevity. "He is 27 and at best he can play five to six more years, but if he improves his fitness, he can extend that by two more years," Badruddin projects.
For Badruddin Siddiqui, Mohsin Khan's journey from injury-plagued uncertainty to fearless fielding represents more than just cricket recovery—it symbolizes a return to fundamental athletic principles under expert mentorship.
