With just two fielders in the deep in the first six overs, the margin for error is miniscule and the pressure is sky high.<\/p>\n
However, Hosein thrives in that tense environment. The left-arm spinner returned with frugal figures of 3-0-15-1 in the PowerPlay to play a crucial role in his team\u2019s eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need both of them (skill and mental toughness). Especially when you come upon pitches that aren\u2019t conducive to spin and it\u2019s just about being disciplined as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving two fielders out in the PowerPlay. It\u2019s not a job where you can go searching for wickets, or you can be too greedy. It\u2019s just about sticking to the plan,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Hosein got the all-important wicket of an in-form KL Rahul, who was foxed by the West Indian as he stepped out to smash him for an inside-out six.<\/p>\n
Hosein\u2019s inclusion in the playing eleven after not being picked in the initial phase of the tournament has allowed CSK to win more games. On Tuesday, the pitch offered him a bit of help, and he ended up dominating the batters.<\/p>\n
After the win over DC, Hosein was asked about his recipe for success in the PowerPlay.<\/p>\n
\u201c…it\u2019s a bit scripted because you only have two guys out, so it\u2019s just about being disciplined and trying to do the job for the team. At the end of the day, if you don\u2019t get wickets and you bowl economically in the PowerPlay, that\u2019s a damn good job you\u2019ve done for the team,\u201d said Hosein.<\/p>\n
He has taken seven wickets in five games at an impressive economy rate of 7.25.<\/p>\n
Fully aware that the batter is a mere couple of hits away from putting the pressure back on him, Hosein says practising for high-pressure situations helps him stay in the present.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think homework is very important. You want to have that head-start when you come up against whichever batter you\u2019re going to face. And like I say, it\u2019s just about making assessments as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou might come up on a pitch that is spinning. You might come up against one that isn\u2019t spinning. Thankfully, I can spin the ball. So, it\u2019s just about picking which deliveries will give you the most success on a particular day and against a particular batter,\u201d said Hosein.<\/p>\n
He got rid of Rahul on the first ball from the other end, something that was decided by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Post PowerPlay, Noor Ahmad took over the mantle from Hosein and maintained the pressure on the DC batters.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting the opportunity to bowl first for me is just about making that assessment as quickly as possible and then passing on that information to Noor or even to the seamers as well if it was a bit of spin or if it\u2019s gripping or whatever the case is. So, conversations with myself and Noor have been fantastic. Really happy for him that he\u2019s getting some success,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Published on May 06, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n