All you need to know about IPL 2023 Eliminator star, Akash Madhwal

The young fast bowler, Akash Madhwal of Mumbai Indians (MI) picked up five wickets on Wednesday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 Eliminator victory against Lucknow Super Giants. He was included in an elite group with illustrious names like Anil Kumble and Jasprit Bumrah thanks to his 5/5 in 3.3 overs. However, a story in Indian Express claims that four years ago, Madhwal was playing tennis ball cricket and had never previously handled a red ball.

When MI selected Madhwal in 2022 to fill in for the injured Suryakumar Yadav, the engineering graduate became the first cricketer from the state of Uttarakhand to play in the IPL. He attracted the attention of both the current and former coaches of Uttarakhand in 2019, Wasim Jaffer and Manish Jha, and as a consequence, the quick bowler began his practice sessions with the red ball.

Hoping to do well in the coming games: Akash Madhwal

The wicket-keeper batsman for India, Rishabh Pant, and the MI spinner have an intriguing relationship. Both cricket players are from the same region of Uttarakhand, and Madhwal received early coaching from Avtar Singh, who had previously worked with Pant before he relocated to Delhi.

“He (Akash) was the part of the team last year as a support bowler, and once Jofra was gone and I knew he had skills and the character to do the job for us. Over the years we have seen many guys coming in from Mumbai Indians and playing for India,” Rohit Sharma was quoted as saying in the post-match presentation.

“I have been practising a lot and waiting for my opportunity. I have done engineering, cricket is my passion and I have been waiting for this since 2018. When we practice in the nets, the management gives us the target and we try to execute our best. Hoping to do well in the coming games and want to end up as champions. The wicket of Nicholas Pooran was most pleasing for me,” Akash opined after receiving the Player of the Match award.