In a video shared on the IPL’s X handle, Bravo emphasized the pivotal role of the yorker as the primary weapon for pacers, stressing that sustained success in the format hinges on mastering this delivery.
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He highlighted the consistent use of yorkers and their diverse variations by some of T20 cricket’s most accomplished bowlers, including himself, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana, among others.
“You cannot last long without a yorker. If you look at players, who have had most of the success in T20 cricket, Lasith Malinga, Bumrah or Pathirana, myself when I played, we had a similar plan, try to bowl as many yorkers as possible, with our variations,” said Pathirana.
Bravo highlighted how bowlers’ failure to rely on their yorker often undermines their performance during matches. As the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket with 625 scalps, the veteran ensures that bowlers consistently practice delivering yorkers in the nets to ensure they are prepared for match situations.
“One of the main reasons why bowlers struggle in this format is because bowlers don’t trust their ability to bowl yorkers. So what I tried to implement in the coaching sessions is each and every bowler has to bowl 12-14 yorkers in a session. Only if you put in the work, in the game time, it will be easier,” said Bravo.
Opening up on some of his favourite pacers from CSK camp, Bravo praised the young Pathirana, who shot to fame with his slingy, Malinga-like action. During the last season, he took 19 wickets in 12 matches for CSK. Currently, he has nine wickets in four games of IPL 2024.
“Pathirana is very special. I call him Baby Malinga. I also call him Baby GOAT (Greatest of All Time). He is not someone you try to coach because he has a natural ability and skill,” Bravo said.
Bravo also pointed out that Bangladesh veteran Mustafizur Rahman is also very special to him. He has taken 11 wickets in six games in the ongoing season.
“He has the reputation of having one of the best slower balls in the world. You don’t try to over-coach these players. You just empower them with knowledge, and information and try to keep it simple,” he added.
The West Indies legend is also impressed with pacer Tushar Deshpade, who made a name for himself with a breakthrough IPL 2023. He took 21 wickets in 16 games to guide CSK to their fifth title win.
Bravo said that during the team meetings, CSK asserts its resolve to be the ” smartest bowling team in the competition” and prepares for all possible scenarios and does not look to repeat its mistakes.
“We do drills, especially by keeping in mind the ground dimension. We practice with vision, with a purpose. When people look at us, they should see a plan, sometimes it does not work, but most times, it will,” Bravo added.
