Will Jacks could have emerged as an Indian Premier League famous person after his blockbuster 41-ball unbeaten 100 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in opposition to Gujarat Titans within the IPL 2024 version.
Cut to 2025, and Jacks has confirmed to be greater than a helpful off-spinner for his new IPL outfit.
In a format the place the function of a offie is more and more getting redundant, Jacks has emerged as Mumbai Indians’ reliable spin option.
And his all-round show — two for 14 off three overs and 36 off 26 balls — meant he walked away with the Player-of-the-Match award in opposition to
Sunrisers Hyderabad on the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday evening.
Jacks not solely contained the ferocious left-handed trio of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Ishan Kishan — dismissing the final two — however
additionally displayed his prowess on a sticky floor by bowling 5 dot balls to Heinrich Klaasen, arguably the perfect batter in opposition to spin in limited-overs cricket.
“If you bowl tentatively to people like that, it’s only going to end one way. Originally, I thought I was going to bowl in the PowerPlay. I didn’t, so I had a bit more protection,” Jacks stated after the match.
“I knew I could bowl with confidence and use my skills: I am a tall bowler, I get good turn and bounce, so that’s what I was trying to do.”
Jacks’ spectacular efficiency with the ball rubbed on to his batting as he made a important contribution after Rohit Sharma bought MI off to a flier. If he carries on in the identical vein, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Co. may have a activity at hand in Sunday’s marquee conflict.
Published – April 18, 2025 06:21 pm IST
