NEW DELHI: It was the 13th over of the game, and Punjab Kings’ pacer Arshdeep Singh was back into the attack. Having conceded just seven runs in his previous two overs, he started his third over on a high, dismissing Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan. However, the over eventually went for 14 runs.
At the start of the over, Arshdeep noticed the ball was reverse-swinging after applying saliva. Realising that Vyshak Vijaykumar’s ability to swing the ball away from the left-hander could create trouble, he signalled to captain Shreyas Iyer and suggested Vyshak be brought in as an ‘Impact Substitute’ for the death overs.
With Gujarat Titans needing 64 off just four overs, Iyer trusted Arshdeep’s instincts and immediately handed the ball to Vyshak.
After a quick discussion with Iyer and Arshdeep, Vyshak got to work.
The 28-year-old stuck to his plan, executing wide yorkers. Though he started with a couple of wides, he didn’t stop and kept hitting the same areas. His disciplined line and length denied Sherfane Rutherford any boundaries, leaving the batter visibly frustrated.
Vyshak’s first two overs went for just 10 runs, a crucial effort that played a significant role in tilting the game in Punjab Kings’ favour.
Vyshak’s composure under pressure helped derail Gujarat Titans’ chase, and despite a strong start, the 2022 champions fell 11-runs short, managing 232/5 in pursuit of Punjab Kings’ 243/5.
In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, Vyshak opened up about his match-winning spell, Arshdeep’s pivotal role, Iyer’s leadership, his strategy to bowl wide yorkers, and much more.
Vijay, you were the hero against Gujarat Titans, stepping up to save the game. How does it feel? How challenging was it to come off the bench and bowl such crucial overs?
I would say this was one of my best performances in the IPL, and I’m really happy that we ended up on the winning side. Honestly, everybody’s a hero. Shreyas, Priyansh, and the way Shashank hit boundaries in the last over—everyone played their part brilliantly. Arshdeep also bowled well on that wicket, giving four overs for 37 runs and taking two wickets. It was a great effort. This victory wasn’t about just one contribution; it was a complete team effort. It’s really satisfying to see everyone step up in the very first game and come together as a unit.
Sherfane Rutherford was batting brilliantly when Arshdeep signaled to bring you into the attack. Was this a pre-planned strategy?
At the end of the day, we all have to work towards the team’s goals and do whatever is required. Even in practice, I’ve been focusing a lot on perfecting my yorkers. I’ve always wanted to be in pressure situations every time I step onto the field. Of course, it doesn’t happen every day, but I always strive to be there, give my best, and win games for the team. That mindset really helps me. Having Arshdeep around has been a great learning experience. We all know what an exceptional bowler he is. His yorkers are outstanding, and he’s incredible to watch. Getting the opportunity to work with him this time has helped me as well, and I hope it continues to aid my growth. I’m really happy to be part of this setup
You came in as an Impact Player and stuck to a single plan: bowling wide yorkers. Was that a deliberate strategy? Even after conceding a couple of wides, you persisted with the same approach?
That was the team’s plan. We tried a couple of different things, including bowling a slow bouncer to him (Rutherford), but he still managed to hit it. The wicket was really good for batting—the ball was coming on nicely—so we decided to go wider to the batsman and see how that worked. Once it started working, I wasn’t too worried about the wides because the captain and Ricky (Ponting) gave me complete freedom. They just told me, ‘Do whatever you want, as long as you’re 100% clear on what you’re doing.’ That kind of backing makes a big difference—it gives you confidence knowing the entire team believes in you. I also visualise a lot, thinking about these situations and how I’d handle them. So when the moment came, I felt ready. Shreyas and Arshdeep discussed the plan and asked for my thoughts. I told them, ‘Whatever you guys decide, I’m good with it.’ And I’m glad it worked out for us.
How crucial was Arshdeep’s role in that moment, and what did he say to you after the win?
In the ground, obviously we are a bit like, you’re serious and stuff. As soon as the match is done, you’re. You’re trying to have fun and then it’s. It’s just a little bit of happiness. I mean, obviously it’s. It feels really. It feels really good to win a game for a team, especially when you’re an impact player. Right. So. So we just, we were just coming and then we were just talking that you made a real impact and all that, but it was all. It was all fun and, and, and, you know, I’m really, I’m really glad that I could get to work with him and I’m hoping to work more and more and, and grow more and more.
On the field, we’re obviously focused and serious, but as soon as the match is over, it’s all about enjoying the moment and having fun. Winning a game for the team always feels special, especially when you’re an impact player. After the match, we were just talking and joking about the impact I made — it was all in good fun. I’m really glad I get to work with him, and I’m looking forward to learning more, growing more, and continuing to improve.
Were you mentally prepared for such a high-pressure moment? What was going through your mind?
I also saw the video—someone showed me Arshdeep signaling my name. It was really nice to see that, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Like I said, I’ve worked a lot on my yorkers with him, and he’s seen me bowl them in practice. So I think he knew I was going to nail it. I’m really happy that he had that confidence in me. The message was very simple and clear—this is what the team requires, and this is what you need to do. When the captain comes and tells you the plan so directly, it makes things a lot easier. Of course, execution is one part, but the planning was done by them. They planned it really well—I just had to execute it, and I did.
Before you bowled, Arshdeep and Shreyas walked up to you. What did they say?
Both of them (Arshdeep and Shreyas) told me to believe in myself and stay calm and composed. That’s something we had been talking about—keeping calm under pressure is the key. Ash also reminded me that I’ve done this many times before. He gave me so much confidence, making me feel like I was the best bowler in the world — even though he actually is. It was really thoughtful of him because he has handled these situations so often. When someone like him tells you that you can do it, it gives you an incredible feeling—you just want to go out there and deliver. I was ready for the challenge because, as I mentioned, we had been practicing this a lot. We had been working on nailing our yorkers, and I’m really glad it all came together so well.
How much of a factor was the dew when you came in to bowl? Did the second ball, allowed to teams in such conditions, make any difference?
Honestly, we didn’t expect there to be so much dew. We had practiced for the last two days, and while there was some dew, it wasn’t as much as what we experienced during the game. It’s obviously challenging for bowlers to grip the ball when there’s so much dew—it tends to slip. But at the end of the day, we are here to do a job. If you want to perform at the highest level, you can’t make excuses about conditions. Whether it’s dew, rain, or anything else, you still have to go out there and execute your skills—especially your yorkers. That’s something we’ve spoken about as a team. If you keep looking for reasons, you’ll always find them. But if you want to grow as a player, you have to accept reality. If you’re not good at something, acknowledge it and work on it. And if you are good, strive to be the best. That’s been our mindset, and this game was no different. We were prepared for whatever conditions came our way. As a team, we are focused on giving our best, no matter what.
Did you notice any impact of saliva on the ball? Arshdeep seemed to be getting some reverse swing.
I don’t think there was a huge difference, but even that 0.01% variation might have worked in our favor. The ball was doing a little bit—not too much—but just enough to make a difference. I think that’s probably why they missed a few deliveries as well. So, in a way, it did help us.
With Shreyas Iyer as the new captain and Punjab Kings off to a winning start, do you think he can change the team’s fortunes and lead them to their maiden IPL title, just as he did with KKR last season?
He’s an exceptional captain, an outstanding player, and, most importantly, a great human being. He knows exactly how to get the best out of his players—whether he’s batting or guiding someone at the other end. He understands what needs to be said and how to bring out the best in his teammates. He and Ricky have worked together before, and we all know how successful they’ve been. Personally, I haven’t lifted an IPL trophy yet, so I’m hoping this is the year I get to do it alongside them. I’m really excited because the way Shreyas and Ricky approach things—ensuring the entire team is aligned toward a common goal—is truly inspiring. One of the first things they emphasised was that whether you’re the captain or the 25th player in the squad, everyone is treated with the same respect. That’s not something you hear often, and it really makes us feel like a family. Now, we just want to keep this momentum going and, hopefully, win the title for Punjab.
When Shreyas was on 97, just three runs short of a century, he asked Shashank Singh to go for a big hit in the final over. Were you surprised by his decision to prioritise the team’s target over his personal milestone?
Not at all. He’s always been a selfless player. For him, it’s always ‘team first.’ People often talk about this mindset, but seeing it in action is truly inspiring. It serves as a great example for youngsters and even for players like us. It doesn’t matter what level you’re playing at—whether it’s the IPL or any other competition—what matters is playing for the team. Personal milestones, like scoring a hundred, don’t mean as much as achieving the team’s target. I think that mentality made the difference in our victory. The way Shashank batted in the last over was incredible. He wasn’t very confident before the tournament started, but to step up and deliver in such a crucial moment was truly exceptional.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.
