New Delhi: The Nagpur airport was in a frenzy with passengers rushing to collect their luggage and board connecting flights. Amid the chaos, Yash ThakurThe phone rang with the call he had dreamed of all his life – a call from his maiden in India.The 27-year-old bowler had just arrived in Nagpur after hearing that he had been selected in the Indian squad for the T20I against Zimbabwe. It was a reward for years of hard work in domestic cricket and the IPL. But for Yash, the moment was more than just fulfilling his dream. It was about fulfilling the dream of his late father, Ravi Singh Thakur. Yash’s father died of a massive heart attack in 2023, a few months before his son was due to start climbing.“Ye papa ka hi dream tha. Aur main unke liye bahut grateful hoon kyunki day one se jab tak woh the, he always helped me and dekhna chahte the mujhe India jersey mein. Aaj wo hote to bahot khush hote [It was my father’s dream. I am very grateful to him because from day one, until he was with us, he always supported me. If he were here today, he would have been extremely happy]Yash told Timesofindia.com.“He has always inspired me a lot. He did a lot for me and my career. I have seen him make a lot of sacrifices for me. This moment is his and it is dedicated to him,” he said.
To meet again Morne Morkel
A familiar face awaiting Yash in the Indian dressing room will be India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel.The pair worked together at Lucknow Super Giants before Yash moved to Punjab Kings, and the all-rounder credits the former South African pacer with helping him improve both professionally and mentally.“When I was at LSG, I learned a lot about the technique of fast bowling from Morne Morkel. He has many international experiences. I learned from him the technical side of bowling, how to use your strength, how to rely on your skills on different wickets and how to take wickets. We had a great relationship at LSG, so I’m happy to meet him, discuss these things and continue to learn from him,” he said.
Since making his List A debut in 2017, Yash has taken almost 100 wickets in 57 matches, played 74 T20s and featured in 22 IPL matches for Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings, picking up 27 wickets, including five wickets.“They always tell me, ‘You have a good cricket brain, but always think about the offers that match your strengths in a particular game and the balls that will help you take wickets.’ He made bowling very simple. “Before we read anything, we discuss which game will be most useful for the wicket and how I can take wickets there,” Yash said.“In my first season of IPL in 2023, he helped me a lot in every game I played. His conversation changed my thinking. My thoughts are always about taking wickets. Pressure makes me happy because that’s where I want to take wickets and help my team win. Bowling in difficult conditions gives me a lot of motivation,” he said.
Learning from Shreyas Iyer
Yash is one of the three players who have received their first call-up for India’s T20I for the tour of Zimbabwe. Wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh and Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma are the other two newcomers.If Yash gets to play internationally, he will also play under Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer. Having already spent a season under Iyer in the IPL, Yash believes the Indian captain’s greatest strength is the confidence he instills in his players.
The Vidarbha pacer is now eager to start his international tour under the guidance of Iyer.“Shreyas is an amazing captain, I have learned a lot from him. Yes, he is a fierce captain and always wants his team to be on top. He has his own way of working. I always say that he is the captain of the barrel. First he talks to the bowlers, discusses the plans with them and gives them full freedom. I played under him in the IPL, and now to be back under his captaincy in the Indian team will help me a lot,” said the 27-year-old.
Ponting’s winning ideas
Yash also spent the IPL under the head coach of Punjab Kings Ricky Pontingwhose influence surpassed his tactics.When asked if Ponting is a difficult coach, Yash said it is the Australian legend’s relentlessness and ability to inspire confidence that makes him different.“The biggest lesson I learned from Ricky sir is that no matter what the situation is, you always have to think about winning. You have to always think about how to win the game and help the team to win. That’s his attitude. No matter what happens or what the situation is, your focus should be on winning. The winning mentality should not change. Watching him taught me that no matter what, you have to think hard to win the team and you always have to think hard to win.” he said.Yash also recalled a dressing room speech from Ponting that summed up his thoughts.Punjab Kings were chasing 265 against Delhi Capitals earlier in the IPL this season after KL Rahul’s unbeaten 152 took Delhi to 264/2.Many in the dressing room felt that the target had not been reached. However, Ponting had a different message.“When we got back to the dressing room, Ricky said one thing: ‘I don’t care about anything. From the first ball, our attitude has to be that whatever comes our way, we will chase it.’ And in the end we chased down the target, won the match and created the IPL record for the best chase in the game,” said Yash.“That’s his attitude. He raised the confidence of every member of the team. We were very happy when we won the game. It was really unforgettable,” he added.Yash believes that Iyer also fearlessly shares the same approach.“It’s the same with Shreyas. His mentality is exactly the same. No matter the situation, we have to play to win and make sure we win,” said the 27-year-old.
