Coaches have told me to hit the stumps: Suyash Sharma

In the recent Qualifier 1 clash of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered a thrilling eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in New Chandigarh, guiding them to their first final since 2016. One of the main architects of the win was the clinical performance of leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, whose precise variations bamboozled the opposition batters as he ended with figures of 3 for 17, earning him the Player of the Match award.

After the match, Suyash credited his success to a mantra from his coaches, revealing that he had been constantly backed by them and was told to focus on hitting the stumps.

"The coaches have told me just one thing: I have to hit the stumps, it doesn't matter whether I bowl a googly, legbreak, or flipper. So I try to finish as many balls as possible on the stumps. There was some help from the pitch. I think that's why my googly wasn't easy to pick," Suyash said at the post-match interview.

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Coming into the attack when PBKS were already struggling at 59 for 5, Suyash built on the strong start. His second ball, a well-executed googly, bamboozled Shashank Singh, who missed a big swing across the line. That dismissal brought debutant Musheer Khan to the crease as PBKS' Impact Player. But the youngster’s IPL first game ended on a disappointing note as Suyash trapped him lbw in just three deliveries with yet another googly.

In his follow-through, the young spinner outfoxed all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who misread the delivery completely, losing his off-stump in the process. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar opened up about Suyash’s role and his execution. 

"The way Suyash chipped in, the way he bowled his line and length, that was incredible. As a captain, I'm pretty much clear about his bowling. He has to be, most of the time, on the stumps. That's his strength. And his wrong'un is very difficult to pick for batsmen. So I always give him clear ideas. I don't want to confuse him. And I'm okay if he gives some runs," Patidar said.

The Punjab-based franchise was eventually bundled out for just 101 in 14.1 overs. In reply, RCB’s batters reached the target with relative ease. Opener Phil Salt smashed an unbeaten 56 off just 27 balls, guiding the team to 106/2 in only 10 overs.