Mumbai Indians faced a setback with key bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer sidelined due to injuries in the ongoing IPL season. However, Akash Madhwal rose to the occasion, delivering an outstanding performance and securing a five-wicket haul to lead MI to a resounding 81-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator match.
Downplaying any comparison to the experienced bowlers he replaced, Madhwal humbly expressed his commitment to fulfilling his role and making the most of his opportunities. Bumrah was ruled out of IPL 2023 before the tournament due to a back issue, while Archer returned home mid-season due to an elbow injury.
“I am trying my best to fulfill the responsibilities given to me by the team. I am not Bumrah’s replacement, but I’m trying my best to do what I can,” Akash Madhwal stated during the post-match press conference. “Whatever opportunities come your way, you should grab it and make the most of it.”
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Madhwal, who joined as a replacement player for the injured Suryakumar Yadav in 2022, narrowly missed making his debut last season but continued to train diligently. His efforts paid off as he secured a spot in the MI squad for the 2023 campaign. Speaking about his role, Madhwal explained, “I was given clarity about my role within the team. I have to continue following the process and had the assurance that I would get opportunities next season. That was very clear.”
In the match, Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total of 182/8, propelled by Nehal Wadhera’s late blitz following strong contributions from Cameron Green and Suryakumar Yadav in the middle overs. Lucknow Super Giants’ run chase crumbled as Madhwal struck at regular intervals, finishing with exceptional figures of 5/5 in 3.3 overs.
Reflecting on the Chepauk wicket, Akash Madhwal remarked, “The wicket at Chepauk was good. The ball was not gripping but skidding. As a swing/sling bowler, I aimed for wickets by pitching the ball in hard lengths.”
When asked about his tactics, the 29-year-old pacer shared insights from his beginnings in tennis-ball cricket in Uttarakhand, where he honed his yorker bowling skills. He applied the same strategy against LSG, unleashing precise yorkers. Mumbai Indians will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 on May 26.
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“Through the tennis ball, I have only learned how to bowl yorkers, and I use that in my bowling today. There is only one way of evading those deliveries. If the bowling lengths are pitched a bit high or low, it would gift away boundary fours or sixes. Thus, I needed to bowl strong yorkers in tennis cricket, and that is what I do today with a proper cricket ball,” explained Akash Madhwal.
