NCA’s summerVidarbha’s left-arm seamer in KKR squad, replaces Akash Deep n By Anupam Soni ONE must always stick to one’s strength, be it life or sports. And in cricket, if a bowler has one of the most lethal deliveries, the yorkers, as his stock ball, he must unleash it to make it count time and again. Tall and well-built Vidarbha seamer Saurabh Dubey, who comes from Wardha, bowls fine yorkers. He has been picked by Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for an injured Akash Deep for the 19th edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League that gets underway on March 28. Dubey represented India in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Bangladesh in 2019 making debut against Nepal. He has played a few List A and T20 matches for Vidarbha and has been part of Sunrisers Hyderabad team in the past. The left-hander’s top delivery that comes down from over seven feet (Dubey is 6 feet, 5 inches tall) at an angle and good pace can test best of the batters. To add to it, Dubey has the ability to swing the ball both ways making life tough for the batsmen. “Yorker is my most preferred delivery.

 

Though it depends on the nature of the turf and situation, I would love to bowl those yorkers. I have got my rhythm back and am ready to bowl with the new ball as well as during the death overs,” said Dubey while interacting with The Hitavada over phone from Kolkata where he has started practice with the former multiple times champions. Playing for his Income Tax Office team in the recently concluded DY Patil T20 Cup in Navi Mumbai, Dubey caught the attention of KKR scouts. “I was continuously doing practice and training and also played some tournaments. I am in good shape and have got my rhythm in the DY Patil tournament. I am very happy to be back to my best rhythm. KKR people saw me there and asked me to bowl at nets. I bowled a couple of times there and then they asked me to come to Kolkata for further tests,” informed the 28-year-old Dubey on how he got picked up by KKR (for Rs 30 lakh.) Dubey, who is yet to make IPL debut, is happy and excited to be a part of the Kolkata-based franchise and promises to give his best. “I am very happy and excited. I was waiting for an opportunity ... there was hunger too. I am feeling good. I will not experiment much and will try to give my best. Representing this franchise is a huge thing as they are three times champions. Here, I have got supportive staff and supportive environment. I am looking forward to giving my best throughout the season,” a confident Dubey signed off. cricket