{"id":152117,"date":"2026-04-07T00:22:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=152117"},"modified":"2026-04-07T00:22:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T05:52:50","slug":"the-space-between-vyshak-vijaykumar-on-a-journey-to-find-himself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=152117","title":{"rendered":"The Space Between:\u00a0Vyshak Vijaykumar\u00a0on a journey to find himself"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Indian cricket fraternity has always had an indelible memory for its stars and almost none for its nearly-men. For every name that became folklore, there were dozens who hovered just beneath.<\/p>\n

Vyshak Vijaykumar, as of writing, belongs to that uncomfortable space. But maybe not for long.<\/p>\n

He has been resilient enough to survive the grind of domestic cricket. He has shown flashes of promise in the glamorous world of the Indian Premier League (IPL). And yet,\u00a0somehow, he has always been one step away from that India cap.<\/p>\n

The barrier almost gave way on October 25, 2024, as Vyshak, then part of the Board of Control for Cricket in India\u2019s (BCCI) targeted fast-bowling pool, received a maiden Twenty20 International call-up for the fast-approaching South Africa series.<\/p>\n

Almost as if fate wanted to underline the moment, on the very next day, he reached a personal landmark, picking his 100th First-Class wicket while playing for Karnataka in a Ranji Trophy outing against Bihar. It would seem the stars were finally aligning.<\/p>\n

He eventually didn\u2019t get a game in the Rainbow Nation, but the proverbial door was finally ajar. Or so Vyshak would have thought, before an all-too-familiar twist forced its way into the tale. An untimely quadriceps injury in the early months of 2025 dragged him back, halting his momentum just as it had begun to gather impetus.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmotionally, it is very important to not dwell on it. You\u2019d be letting yourself down. Injuries are a part of cricket. Everybody gets injured. I have a great family. When I go back home, they are always supportive. They asked me not to worry. In this profession, you don\u2019t get a lot of time off to spend with your family. So, I just interpreted it as a manner of God giving me things that I otherwise wouldn\u2019t have got,\u201d Vyshak, who then spent two months in rehabilitation at the BCCI\u2019s Centre of Excellence, tells\u00a0 Sportstar.<\/i><\/p>\n

In the meantime, Punjab Kings made a move right after Vyshak returned from South Africa, acquiring the pacer\u2019s services for \u20b91.80 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. When the season began, there was hardly anyone who predicted Vyshak to be a regular starter. However, as it turned out, he didn\u2019t have to wait long for his moment in the sun.<\/p>\n

\"Solid<\/p>\n
Solid start:\u00a0This season, Vyshak (second from left) has taken five wickets in his first two games for Punjab Kings, already\u00a0one more than his total tally in each of the previous two editions.\u00a0
\n | Photo Credit:
\n R. Ragu\n <\/p>\n

\"lightbox-info\"\/<\/figcaption><\/div>\n

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Solid start:\u00a0This season, Vyshak (second from left) has taken five wickets in his first two games for Punjab Kings, already\u00a0one more than his total tally in each of the previous two editions.\u00a0
\n | Photo Credit:
\n R. Ragu\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Interestingly, Vyshak himself was unaware that he would be summoned during PBKS\u2019 opening game as an Impact Player until 13 overs into the Gujarat Titans\u2019 chase.<\/p>\n

With Sherfane Rutherford and Jos Buttler wreaking havoc in the middle, coach Ricky Ponting sent a worried message out to captain Shreyas Iyer on the field. The PBKS skipper replied almost instinctively: \u201cJust get Vyshak out here. He will nail a couple of overs of yorkers, and we will close the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marcus Stoinis had just conceded 17 runs in the 14th over when Vyshak was handed the ball. GT needed 75 from 36. \u201cWe just thought we would try a few wide yorkers. I ended up bowling a couple of wides as well. But Shreyas came and said that no matter what, I had to keep sticking to the same thing. As a bowler, if somebody gives you that much confidence, you don\u2019t require much when you are playing at the highest level, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Vyshak ended up conceding only five runs in each of his first two overs. Shreyas\u2019 call held up, the damage was done, and PBKS went on to win by 11 runs. \u201cAs a fast bowler, if you\u2019re playing at the highest level, you\u2019ve got to be ready for all challenges. So, we make sure we are prepared. Say there\u2019s a lot of dew in Ahmedabad and then you get a wet ball; you can\u2019t complain, right? (For such situations) we make sure we practise enough to bowl those yorkers \u2014 doesn\u2019t matter if it is wet or not. When the captain comes and gives you the ball, you can\u2019t be saying, \u2018S**t, I\u2019ve not practised bowling wide yorkers!\u2019 You always keep yourself up to the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

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