JOIN US Even as his team-mates suffered the onslaught from Royal Challengers Bangalore’s batsmen here on Tuesday, Gujarat Lions’ pacer Basil Thampi stood out for his versatile bowling effort.
Thampi varied his length and executed the yorkers well in the death overs to return with impressive figures of 4-0-31-1 on a day when RCB hammered 213 runs in 20 overs.
It was not the first time that Thampi has been the lone bright spot for the Lions this season. Gujarat, who topped the group stage last season, are languishing at the bottom this time with poor bowling hitting them hard. Thampi, however, has held his own with smart bowling under pressure situations.
The 23-year-old, playing in his debut season, said he is enjoying the challenge of playing on the big stage.
“In IPL, I know the batsmen can hit me anytime but I can also build pressure on the batsmen by keeping things tight. I enjoy such battles and if I manage to take a wicket then it’s great,” said Thampi at the post-match press conference here on Tuesday.
Picked up in the auction for Rs 85 lakh, Thampi has played four games so far and has impressed many with his economical bowling. He bagged his first IPL wicket when he dismissed Gayle with a cracking yorker and Thampi said the moment couldn’t have got more special for him.
“It was the best feeling of my life. I got the big man out and I am very happy about it,” he said.
Thampi, a product of the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, has caught the attention of many with his variations.
“I got my yorkers from tennis ball cricket. When I came for the Lions’ camp, I kept on practicing it in the nets with my coaches. I developed the back of the arm slower balls at the camp and I am working on it,” he offered.