Vijaykumar Vyshak Focuses on Enhancing Pace and Variations for IPL 2026
Vijaykumar Vyshak, the Punjab Kings pacer, has made a solid start to IPL 2026, and he is actively working to increase his bowling pace and incorporate more variations to maintain effectiveness throughout the competition. With five wickets in two matches so far, Vyshak has already surpassed his previous season's tally of four wickets in five games, showcasing significant improvement early in the tournament.
Early Career and Current Performance
Beginning his IPL career with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023 before transitioning to Punjab Kings, the 29-year-old bowler has utilized a mix of wide yorkers and slower bouncers this season. In a recent match against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai, he played a crucial role by dismissing Ayush Mhatre and Sarfaraz Khan, helping to restrict the opposition to 209 for five, which Punjab Kings successfully chased.
Punjab Kings have deployed Vyshak across all phases of the innings, and he has expressed comfort in taking on this versatile role. With teams increasingly relying on video analysis, Vyshak emphasizes the necessity of continuous improvement to stay competitive.
Challenges and Aspirations
In a media interaction before the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Vyshak acknowledged the pace challenges in modern cricket, noting that while others bowl at speeds of 154-155 km/h, he typically operates in the 140-144 km/h range. However, he embraces these challenges, stating, "I love challenges. So it doesn't matter where I bowl, whether in the powerplay or death overs, as long as I am contributing to the team."
Vyshak, who plays all formats, received his first India call-up for the T20 tour of South Africa in 2024 but did not feature in a match. He revealed that playing Test cricket remains his primary goal, alongside aspirations to represent India in T20s. "When you start playing cricket, you always look to play Test matches for the Indian team. That still gives me chills, thinking about wearing that Indian cap," he shared.
Inspiration and Preparation
Drawing inspiration from his Punjab Kings teammate Arshdeep Singh, Vyshak has dedicated his off-season to rigorous preparation with coaches and teammates in Karnataka. He believes that consistent practice is essential for performing on such a grand stage. "Without working, you can't be playing in such a big stage. Whatever you've been practising will reflect in your games," he explained.
Reflecting on his domestic cricket experience, Vyshak highlighted how it boosted his confidence. "Domestic cricket is where you actually gain your confidence because you know how good cricket is in India," he added, noting his role as a lead bowler during the season.
Adding New Skills and Adapting to Rules
On the topic of skill development, Vyshak stressed the importance of adding new deliveries each season to stay ahead of video analysts. "I always make sure that whenever I come, I have a new delivery for myself. I've been trying to get better with a couple more slower ones or variations," he said, expressing hope to implement these changes this season.
He also commented on the Impact Player rule, introduced in 2023, which has provided opportunities for players like him, despite concerns raised by some prominent cricketers such as Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya.
