Yash Thakur, a 27-year-old Vidarbha pacer, made his T20I debut for India against Zimbabwe, surprising many with his immediate impact, bowling at 140 kmph and taking 4 wickets in 2 matches, fulfilling a lifelong dream despite a non-traditional path and personal setbacks.
Gujarat Titans are leading IPL 2026 with 29 wickets by pacers using short balls, significantly ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders (19) and Rajasthan Royals (16). Their pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Jason Holder and Kagiso Rabada dismantled Punjab Kings, with Holder delivering a match-winning 4/24 spell as PBKS collapsed to 47/5 inside nine overs.
The Gujarat Titans are leading the IPL 2026 in wickets taken via short balls, with 29 dismissals. Their pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Jason Holder, and Kagiso Rabada recently overwhelmed the Punjab Kings, securing a dominant performance.
Dale Steyn lauded the bowling performances of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, noting that their precise 'hard length' bowling is creating technical challenges for batters in the current IPL season.
Marco Jansen, the 25-year-old South African pacer, has emerged as a key player for Punjab Kings in IPL after giving up rugby at 17 to pursue cricket. Inspired by Australia's Josh Hazlewood, Jansen has developed a 'Test-match' length bowling approach that has proven effective across formats. At Punjab Kings, he has adapted to bowling with the older ball after not getting the new ball, which paid off during the Test series in India last winter.
Marco Jansen, the South African pacer playing for Punjab Kings in IPL, has credited Australia's Josh Hazlewood as his inspiration for his evolution as a bowler. The 25-year-old, who took up cricket at 17 after giving up rugby, has developed a reputation for bowling consistent 'Test-match' lengths across formats. Jansen revealed he learned to find his own way rather than trying to bowl similar lengths to other bowlers, and has had to adapt his game at Punjab Kings by working on bowling with the older ball since he no longer gets the new ball.
