IPL 2024: Mustafizur Rahman's change of pace makes him world class, says Dinesh Karthik

CHENNAI: Despite being stretchered off the field at Chittagong last week, Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman was fizzing with energy and delivered a stellar performance, securing Chennai Super Kings’ six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru here on Friday. In a mere span of 10 deliveries, Mustafizur, aka Fizz, decimated RCB’s top order and completely shifted the momentum of the game by scalping four crucial wickets -- Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli and Cameron Green.

On Friday night, the left-arm medium seamer had more variations in his pace than colours in an artist’s palette. Apart from that, his leg-cutters and flexible wrist action were like precise brushstrokes. And, the Chepauk wicket turned out to be the perfect canvas for Fizz to showcase his masterpiece.

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Two well-curated leg-cutters at the right length accounted for du Plessis and Green’s wickets. A slower ball sent Kohli packing, while a wobbly seam delivery deceived Patidar.

Dinesh Karthik, who remained unbeaten to take RCB to a decent total, said Fizz’s modification of the pace is what makes it tough for batters to face him.

“This (Chepauk) is a very good pitch. It’s not the usual slow turn-up pitch that we probably were visualising in our minds. The ball skidded on a lot more here. It was good for batting. He (Fizz) bowled brilliantly. And he hit the right lengths. His slow ball came out well.

“What makes it really tough is the fact that he can bowl at 138-139 kmph and then he has a slow one, which is very deceptive. He bowls at 120-125 kmph, which makes it really hard to line him up. So that’s what is so special about him. And he’s a world-class bowler,” explained DK after the match.

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The absence of CSK’s designated death bowler Matheesha Pathirana opened the doors for Fizz to get into the playing XI. And, the 28-year-old, who was picked up by CSK in the auction last year for his base price of Rs 2 crore, made the most of the opportunity.

CSK bowling consultant Eric Simons said Fizz executed the plan seamlessly. “I think we will always look at the conditions, look at the balance, to decide (the XI). I think it’s important to have somebody who does something a little bit different. We just felt that he (Fizz) does suit the conditions, but again, it’s the simplicity of the plan that we put into place, and he executed beautifully today (Friday),” said Simons.