Praveen Kumar: The Brain Child of Swing

The art of swing bowling was once explained by Wasim Akram himself,  “If you want to take wickets in international cricket, learn how to swing the ball. Pace alone doesn’t get wickets at this level.”

Swing bowling became a part of the  gentlemen game’s adoption, but making the ball do so is a highly skilled art. A certain Praveen Kumar was a one such genuine ‘swing’ bowler  who made dangerous opposition batsmen look ordinary with his skill.

This brain child of swing bowling made his debut for his country against Pakistan in Jaipur aged just 21 after a stellar domestic season for Uttar Pradesh.  India had by then definitely made giant strides in international cricket, as a new captain MS Dhoni, led a young side against the world’s best.

PK fit into the side as regular medium pacer, but the forthcoming CB series would change his and the Indian cricket team’s destiny. Praveen Kumar has played 68 ODIs and 6 tests so far in his career. Here’s a look at some of his most inspirational performances.

1. Instant impact in Test Cricket

Praveen Kumar made the Indian test squad in 2011, a juncture at which the side was Numero uno in the world. Unlucky not to make the World Cup squad, Praveen proved his credentials in the IPL, with some splendid bowling, to earn the much awaited test call up.

Praveen made an immediate impact  on his debut against the West Indies in  Sabina Park, Jamaica to return with figures of 3/38 and 3/42, in a test which proved out to be  a tricky one for the Indians. India got their win by 63 runs, but not before moments of individual brilliance from Rahul Dravid and the debutant in Praveen Kumar.

2. Lord’s Magic

Praveen’s  series winning effort against the West Indies, prompted the management to name him in the playing  eleven, at the iconic Lord’s in the 2000th test match, played between India and England.

India were dealt with an early blow after their premium seamer Zaheer Khan limped off with a hamstring injury, only to never return to the series again. The team were up against a rejuvenated English side, with a bowler short.

It was then that Praveen himself stepped up to the plate, as he bowled his heart out in batting friendly conditions to earn his first 5 wicket haul in tests. His performance was on the back drop of a struggling Indian attack who were put to the sword by Kevin Pietersen. Praveen had shown that he is indeed a tough character and adversaries cannot stop determination.

3. IPL hatrick

Praveen’s exploits in the CB series down under, got him a handsome IPL contract with RCB. He incidentally also bowled the first IPL delivery ever too. But one of his best performances at the club level came in the third season of the league where he picked up a hat-trick against the Rajasthan Royals. It was canny from the medium pacer. Praveen mixed up the deliveries quite well to pick three in three, which ultimately helped his side RCB win the game.

Here is a video of the brilliant hat-trick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9a5mVPpxvE

4. Rising to the occasion (CB series)

Praveen Kumar’s best performance in Indian colors to date arguably came in the CB series of 2008/09 in Australia. Praveen made the squad only for the second time in his career, and critically he wasn’t the best of the pick. Lack of pace and conditions conducive to swing bowling in Australia, prompted the critics to raise a few eyebrows over his selection.

However, PK, as he is fondly remembered, stole the show down under capturing 10 wickets in 4 appearances at 17.50 including  two 4 wicket hauls against Sri Lanka and Australia both match winning performances.

Praveen Kumar used his guile and accuracy to stun his critics. The conditions nor the opposition mattered to the young seamer. He showed no nerves bowling against a daunting Australian top order as he played a huge role in India winning the Tri Nation series, which shaped the destiny of the MS Dhoni era of Indian cricket.