New Delhi, April 7: Vijaykumar Vaishakh, representing Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, is making waves with his fast bowling. The right-arm bowler has been troubling batsmen with his speed, clocking between 140-145 kilometers per hour, complemented by his varied bowling techniques.
Playing his fourth IPL season, the Karnataka native has taken 22 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 29.45. In IPL 2023, while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he claimed 9 wickets in 7 matches, and in the current season, he has already taken 4 wickets in 4 games.
Punjab Kings acquired Vaishakh for ₹1.80 crore for IPL 2025, but he missed a significant portion of that season due to injury, managing to play only 5 matches and taking 4 wickets. However, IPL 2026 seems to be a breakthrough season for him. In his first match against Gujarat Titans (GT), he took 3 wickets for 34 runs, contributing significantly to his team’s victory. In the following match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he secured 2 wickets for 38 runs.
Since joining Punjab Kings, Vaishakh has honed his bowling skills, introducing two key weapons to his arsenal: the ‘wide yorker’ and ‘slow bouncer.’ He has been effective in unsettling batsmen by suddenly reducing the speed of the ball.
Vaishakh’s domestic cricket performance has been remarkable, with 116 wickets at an average of 25.14 in 31 first-class matches, including three five-wicket hauls. In his List-A career, he has taken 40 wickets in 29 matches, and in 52 T20 matches, he has claimed 66 wickets.
He attributes his success to Karnataka’s domestic cricket and his coach, believing that bowling against international-level players boosts his confidence. Unlike many bowlers aiming for speeds of 150 kilometers per hour, Vaishakh focuses on improving his fitness and technique, aspiring to be among the world’s deadliest bowlers.
In 2024, he was included in the T20 team for the South Africa tour but did not make it to the playing eleven. Nonetheless, that tour strengthened his resolve. This season, Vaishakh aims to shine in the IPL and catch the attention of the Indian cricket selectors once again.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.