‘If you don't have pace and bowl a yorker, you will not survive’ - Dwayne Bravo’s message to CSK bowlers

Even though Chennai Super Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants in their second match of IPL 2023, skipper MS Dhoni was not impressed with his bowlers and even jokingly threatened to leave the captaincy if they don’t improve. Notably, the pacers leaked plenty of runs in the first couple of games and that is one area that the four-time champions need to improve immediately.

Meanwhile, ahead of their next match against Mumbai Indians, bowling coach Dwayne Bravo stated that yorkers without any pace will not be beneficial for any bowlers. However, he understands that bowling yorkers is one of the most difficult jobs and sants the death bowlers to ace it. He revealed the ‘secret formula’ of bowling in the death overs but also wants the players to develop their own style.

“There is a particular template to follow, we all in the bowling group (Eric Simons) and the coach (Stephen Fleming) are on the same page and understand the philosophy of bowling. So it's a work in progress. It is impossible to try and coach the players the way I did in my time when I used to play and bowl in the back (death). They (bowlers) have to develop their own style and we have to encourage them and stick to the basics.

“Best is always the yorker, but it's one of the most difficult (deliveries) to bowl. You have to really put in the hours to practice and get other options over and around the wicket, bowling wide, bowling straight and so on. It is the most important for bowling and last game, there was a big improvement from the first game. We bowled like three yorkers and it's very important to improve that,” the 39-year-old was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

The former West Indies skipper also added that yorkers are the safest option whenever a pacer is under any form of pressure. He believes that the batters find it extremely difficult to hit and thus wants his bowlers to execute it properly.

“At this moment, if you don't have pace and bowl a yorker, you will not survive. Unless you bowl really quick like 150-plus kph, you will not survive and even if you bowl at 150-plus kph, there comes a moment when you really have to rely on your yorker. It's the most difficult to bowl and the safest option whenever you are under pressure in the back end of the innings. Yorkers are go to balls once you are able to execute, it's impossible for a batter to hit,” he added.