The story of KK Jiyas- Can he become India's first ever chinaman?

When KK Jiyas, a member of the Delhi Daredevils this season was bowling in a summer coaching camp in Calicut six years ago, he had no clue on how rare his talent was. He was clueless when his coach Mr K. Sunil wondered how he developed the art of a chinaman. Jiyas said that he still remember the incident as he said ‘Chinaman? What is chinaman sir?’ Those were my exact words when Sunil sir posed me that question. I honestly had no clue.

He also said that his coach and other players were surprised by the way he bowls. It was all a bit shocking when my coach and all the other senior players looked so surprised to see a ball turning so sharply on that matting wicket. My coach asked me to continue doing what I was doing. And today, I have an IPL contract just because of my bowling style, he said.

Hailing from a poor family, Jiyas could have easily followed his father and went on to join him as a taxi driver in Doha, Qatar. He had a deal with his father and if he had failed to make the cut before turning 25, he was supposed to work as a driver. It was when Rajasthan Royals spotted his talent and included him in their 31 member development squad. He got some valuable advices from one of the best ever Chinaman the world has ever seen, Brad Hogg.

My family was poor but they supported my decision to shift to Ernakulam fully. The deal with my father was a simple one. I told him that if I don’t make it by the time I’m 25, I’ll happily join him in Doha as a driver. I was selected in the 31-member squad of Rajasthan Royals, where I met Brad Hogg. I had watched his videos as a youngster to improve my action. Now he was standing right behind me and telling me where to improve. He told me that I must improve my shoulder strength so I can bowl quicker through the air, told Jiyas.

He also said that his current coach Gary Kirsten too said the same and Delhi Daredevils’ spin twins Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra too had some tips for him, which he would like to work on to become a better bowler. Gary Kirsten told me that If I am bowling at 80 kmph then I need to start bowling at probably about 92kmph. At slower speeds, it is easy for the batsmen to hit me. If I bowl faster, then it will be difficult to pick his variations. Imran Tahir asked me to develop the backspinner, a ball that changed his career for the better as a leg-spinner. And Amit Mishra told me to keep things simple and be patient, he concluded.

Jiyas has represented his Kerala at both the under-23 and under-25 levels, the he said that his real improvement happened only after he joined the Rajasthan Royals development squad.