NAGPUR: Akshay Karnewar is killing them softly. The country's only ambidextrous spinner currently in action has nonchalantly destroyed opposition with his simple 'choke the runs and reap dividends' formula in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His consistency has not only attracted the IPL talent scout but has also taken Vidarbha to a newer high. Vidarbha's leading wicket-taker is establishing his reputation as one of the best contemporary T20 spinners in the domestic circuit.
The 29-year-old has signalled he has come of age, five years after having shown enough promise to rule the white balls action, with confidence. Karnewar has bowled 102 dot balls, highest in the tournament so far, including an impressive 4-0-7-1 in the quarterfinal against Rajasthan on Thursday.
What separates Karnewar from others is his ability to consistently bowl incoming deliveries that are particularly tricky to negotiate because they are delivered with identical release as other balls that spin.
Karnewar carries another weapon in his arsenal that has proved deadly and brought him wickets over the years - the one that goes on straight. Most of his 13 wickets in the T20 trophy have come on straighter ones.
"He is quick and hits the deck. That adds to his natural skill of skidding the ball. This makes him special. Hitting someone like him in a 4-over spell is not at all easy. His figures against quality Rajasthan side speak for his bowling and he has been doing this day-in and day-out," said Sulakshan Kulkarni, who has coached Karnewar earlier.
Karnewar may look as a different bowler but what actually worked for him is the consistent run he has been given by Vidarbha in this season. He is so impressive in this season that he was inquired by an IPL scout after the match in Vijaywada when he scripted world record by bowling four maiden overs in a T20 match a couple of weeks ago.
The most impressive characteristic of Karnewar's bowling and the probability of him being taken for granted by a batsman is his consistency. "Be it powerplay or overs after that, Akshay is taking the challenges thrown at him and has stayed consistent all through. This shows he has grown in stature and such spinners are in demand. He is in the circuit for a long and deserves a break at a bigger stage," Kulkarni added.
Since Karnewar himself is eyeing an IPL spot, the added advantage that goes his way is his fielding. "He can throw with both the arms and with equal power. He had affected a run-out with left-arm when batsmen thought he was a right-arm thrower in under-19 Cooch Behar against MP. And, he has improved a lot ever since and is a handy left-hand batsman who can hit big," added Kulkarni.
