Bowling stump-to-stump helped me get wickets: Harpreet Brar

Harpreet Brar bowled one of the most economical spells at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, when he conceded just 13 runs from his four overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Moreover, he also picked up the vital wickets of Rajat Patidar (18) and Glenn Maxwell (3) to bring his side back into the contest on March 25 (Monday). 

Despite his best efforts, Punjab Kings (PBKS) succumbed to a four-wicket loss to suffer their first defeat of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, while RCB registered their first win. Brar says his strategy was to control the game by bowling stump-to-stump and get in as many dots as possible.

“My strategy was to build up the pressure by bowling as many dot balls as possible. The plan is to always control the economy rate. If you don’t give away too much runs, the pressure builds on the batters and the dot balls become your wicket-taking delivery,”  Brar said at the post-match press conference.

Given the small dimensions at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the left-arm spinner also believes it is crucial to stay away from the arc of the batters. 

"Can’t bowl according to the ground or the surface. Bowling in T20 cricket is all about lengths. We always look to bowl away from the arc of the batters," Brar, who bowled 12 dot balls in the game, said. 

"The bowlers were getting help from the wicket, so that was all that was going through in my mind. All I had to do was bowl in a particular area consistently, and I got wickets. When the wicket is helping, all one has to do as a bowler is to bowl stump-to-stump. I did that and got the wickets."

PBKS will hope to get back to winning ways when they take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their next match in Lucknow on March 30 (Saturday).