Variations, turn and control, the Markande way

Wristspin in T20s is a fiercely sought-after entity. Batsmen are wary of losing their wickets to the variations of a wristspinner, so caution trumps aggression. That, in turn, leads to dot balls, often clustered together and eventually lead to wickets like it did on Thursday night.

Mumbai Indians' Mayank Markande exploited those characteristics splendidly against Sunrisers Hyderabad's top order. In the seventh over of the innings, he gave Mumbai a slim chance by trapping Wriddhiman Saha with a googly that was given out lbw upon review.

In his next over, he had Shikhar Dhawan caught at deep backward square leg off a top-edged sweep. This was a result of extra revolutions imparted on the ball with additional flex of the wrist. Manish Pandey was then caught, attempting to heave a legbreak against the spin. Another legbreak to Shakib Al Hasan forced him to chop on. His 4 for 23 meant Markande became the third-youngest player to take a four-for in the IPL.

Markande doesn't mind over-bowling the googly. He used the variation effectively against Chennai Super Kings in the previous game, and early in his spell against Sunrisers.

There was another similarity. In the previous game, a ripping googly went past MS Dhoni to strike him on the pad, his feet rooted to the crease. Chris Gaffaney's not-out decision was overturned on review, to a wry smile on the umpire's face. In this game, another googly, slightly shorter in length, also beat Wriddhiman Saha's inside edge as he stepped out to smother the delivery. Nigel Llong's not-out decision was also overturned after a review, to another wry smile on the umpire's face.

"Well bowled, but I'm going to get him back in the next match. Impressive bowling though."
Shikhar Dhawan in a flash interview after the game

"So moving to see a 20yr old youth pulled into the @mipaltan setup after just 6 LA games. Mayank Markande has had a good start to his @IPL career. I hope it continues for him."
Ian Bishop on Twitter