NEW DELHI: On a humid Tuesday evening, Manimaran Siddharth found the validation he had been seeking since making the transition from pace bowling to left-arm spin some seasons ago, with the prized wicket of
Virat Kohli
.
In the fifth over of the Powerplay, Siddharth, in his third over, deceived Kohli, inducing a leading edge off a fuller delivery on the off-stump.
The ball found its way into the waiting hands of
Devdutt Padikkal
stationed at backward point.
This crucial dismissal marked the beginning of Lucknow Super Giants' 28-run triumph over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their
IPL 2024
encounter held in Bengaluru.
“I have always dreamt of taking Kohli's wicket, it's the biggest wicket you can ever take,” Siddharth, who was acquired by LSG for Rs 2.4 crore in last year's auction, said in the post-match press-conference.
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Siddharth's journey to this pivotal moment was far from smooth, marked by transitions between countries and battles with injuries.
Originally hailing from Jakarta, Indonesia, Siddharth spent his formative years there until the age of eight when his parents made the decision to relocate to Chennai, India, in pursuit of better opportunities for their son's cricketing aspirations.
The turning point in Siddharth's fluctuating career trajectory arrived when
Washington Sundar
, an accomplished spinner for both India and Tamil Nadu, and now a close friend of Siddharth's, suggested that he train under the guidance of AC Prathiban, a former First-Class cricketer.
This pivotal decision played a crucial role in shaping Siddharth's journey from uncertainties to achievements in the world of cricket.
“He came in with a lot of skill sets to me a couple of years ago. Washi was full of praise for him. We were working on the mental aspect more than the skill aspects here.
“After all, at this level it is more in the mind, as players are almost on the same page as far as skills are concerned,” Prathiban told PTI.
Siddharth exhibited remarkable mental fortitude when he embraced the challenge of bowling in the Power Play as per the directive of Lucknow Super Giants' head coach,
Justin Langer
, against RCB.
While Kohli's well-known vulnerability against left-arm spin might have influenced Langer's decision, it was undoubtedly a significant moment for Siddharth, who was only featuring in his second IPL match.
Despite the pressure of the occasion, Siddharth remained composed. He delivered eight deliveries to Kohli during the Powerplay, conceding just seven runs before ultimately dismissing the star batter, showcasing his skill and composure on the grand stage.
“It is definitely a big thing to take Kohli's wicket. He is one of the best batsmen of all time. But for me, the presence of mind Siddharth showed to bowl three overs in the Power Play was more satisfying, as even some of the more experienced bowlers can falter,” said Prathiban.
"He wanted to be a fast bowler, but he did not. That attitude remains in him, I think," he remarked with a chuckle.
Siddharth's exposure to bowling in Powerplays wasn't solely confined to the IPL. In fact, he gained valuable experience in this role back in 2019 when Dinesh Karthik, the skipper of Tamil Nadu, entrusted him with similar responsibilities during his debut year in domestic cricket.
His performances didn't go unnoticed, leading to him securing an IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders at his base price in 2020. The following year, he moved to Delhi Capitals.
Unfortunately, Siddharth's journey hit a roadblock in IPL 2021 due to an injury, forcing him to miss the entire season. Instead, he had to settle for the role of a net bowler, providing support to teams like Mumbai Indians in 2022 and Chennai Super Kings in 2023.
Despite the setback, Siddharth's determination remained unwavering as he continued to contribute to the game in whatever capacity possible.
“He was a bit frustrated but did not show that while training. I just told him to keep working on your skills and the opportunity will come knocking,” noted Prathiban.
That opportunity came during last year's Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). The 25-year-old took 11 wickets from nine matches for Kovai Kings and his economy was exceptional – 5.61.
“It gave him a lot of confidence that he can be successful at this level consistently. After all nothing breeds confidence like success,” said Prathiban.
Armed with data and eagle-eyed video analysts, batsmen will not take much time to work out a bowler in modern day cricket.
Prathiban was aware of it.
“Siddharth knows that he cannot rest on laurels. The arm ball that you might have seen yesterday, comes naturally to him. We also worked on a bit of accuracy.
“However, he needs more tricks up his sleeve to maintain his success. We have been working on an under-cutter recently, and you might just see it at some point in the IPL.
“I think this is the beginning of a long and successful journey for him,” added Prathiban.
(With PTI inputs)
English (US) ·