IPL 2023: Can’t fill his shoes but I am trying to learn slog-overs bowling skills from him – Tushar Deshpande on Dwayne Bravo

Chennai Super Kings greenhorn fast bowler Tushar Deshpande admitted he can’t fill the big shoes of Dwayne Bravo but he is trying to learn slog-overs bowling skills from his bowling coach. Bravo, regarded as one of the best death overs bowlers, earlier announced his retirement from the IPL.

Bravo is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 181 scalps in 163 matches. Meanwhile, Tushar Deshpande was introduced as an impact player by CSK for the second in a row against Lucknow Super Giants at the Chepauk Stadium, Chennai on Monday.

While the 27-year-old from Mumbai scalped two wickets, he conceded 45 runs in his quota of four overs. Moreover, he bowled two wides and three no-balls in his expensive spell. The rookie pacer, who had earlier became the first impact player in the history of the IPL in the opening match against Gujarat Titans, conceded 51 runs in the 3.2 overs he bowled in the opening fixture.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, “Bowling in the death is not an easy skill. I am still learning, we have a great death bowler as our bowling coach DJ Bravo and I am just trying to pick his brains. My role is quite similar to what Bravo has done over the years for CSK. I can’t fill his shoes but I am trying to learn slog-overs bowling skills from him.”

Deshpande added he is trying to get better with every game and wants to keep improving at the top level.

“I think getting a chance or not is not in my hand. But what is in my hand is to put in an effort and keep on improving myself day by day so I was focusing on that, and I feel personally when I keep on growing as a bowler, the opportunities will keep coming towards me, and I just need to grab it with a cool mind.”

The fast bowler admitted that bowling no-balls is a crime in T20 cricket but added he is focused to make a good comeback in the upcoming matches.

“I am a firm believer of the present; what’s gone is gone. Bowling no ball is a crime in T20 cricket but if I keep cribbing about it I might have given away ten extra runs and the results might have gone either way. So I was just focused on making a good comeback. I kept telling myself that you can win the game for the team.”

CSK will next face arch-rivals Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Saturday.