DPL 2024: Purani Dilli 6 Pacer Aayush Thakur Credits Arshdeep Singh for Teaching Him the Art of Bowling Yorkers

In an exciting development in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), Aayush Thakur, the talented pacer from Purani Dilli 6, achieved a milestone by securing a five-wicket haul. Thakur attributed his success to the valuable lessons he learned from Indian left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh while serving as a net bowler for the Punjab Kings during the IPL. Thakur specifically mentioned how Singh's guidance helped him master the art of bowling yorkers, proving to be a game-changer for him in the DPL.

The 21-year-old bowler, who represented India ‘B’ in an Under-19 Quadrangular international series, picked up a five-wicket haul that powered Purani Dilli 6 to a 20-run win over North Delhi Strikers at the Delhi Premier League here on Tuesday.

“I speak to Arshdeep Singh a lot and I am still in touch with him I have learnt a lot from him in terms of executing my yorkers when there is dew,” Ayush told reporters after the post-match ceremony.
Thakur, with 12 wickets in 7 matches, is currently second in the list of most wicket takers — just one behind Simarjeet Singh (13 in 6 matches).

He has been a net bowler in IPL for two years.

“I was a net bowler in the IPL for two years for Punjab Kings (2022) and Lucknow Super Giants (2023) so I do have a lot of experience of that, so implementing that very experience here was crucial,” he said.

Thakur revealed that he started his career as a batter but there was a sudden change in his career after joining the Sonnet Cricket Club under famed cricket coach Tarak Sinha.

“I was ready to transform myself into a bowler because there was a lot of fight and competition in Delhi for batters so the fast bowlers were fewer in numbers at that time. I have become a fast bowler now which feels great as I am also doing well for the team,” he said.

“I have worked a lot on my swing bowling from the beginning. Tarak Sinha sir helped me a lot. Earlier I played state level as an opener but when I went to Sonnet, they made me a fast bowler which was a turning point in my life, so since then I have been playing state and the performances have been good too.

“I feel great because it was a brilliant opportunity for us, those who do well here(DPL) will get more chances in the future, so I just kept it simple by executing my plan which I did nicely and bagged a five-wicket haul and won the match for my team.”

Asked about his IPL prospects, Thakur said: “Yes, it is on my mind to play there (IPL) after doing well here (DPL), just have to make sure that I do not get ahead of myself and perform well for the next matches and recover in time.”