Delhi Capitals pacer Ishant Sharma bowled a peach of a delivery to sent Gujarat Titans batter Vijay Shankar back to the pavilion in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2023 Match 44 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
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Sharma, who opened the bowling with Impact Player Khaleel Ahmed, became the third bowler to pick a wicket in the powerplay in a much-needed cause. With the visitors trying their best to defend a 131-run target, their new-ball pacers picking a each in the fielding restriction overs has converted this match into an enticing contest.
It all happened on the last over of the fifth over when Sharma’s experience and guile was capable enough to dismiss an in-form Shankar. Not at all reading a knuckle ball, the right-handed batter played all across a straight delivery to be completely deceived by the ball. Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the previous over, Shankar departed after scoring 6 (9).
Dale Steyn Mesmerized By Ishant Sharma Delivery to Dismiss Vijay Shankar
Legendary South African fast bowler Dale Steyn took to social media platform Twitter to express awe of Sharma’s delivery. With a bowler of his stature claiming the ball to be the best-ever wicket-taking knuckle delivery, there remained no doubt about the masterly ball.
Deception at its best! 👊🏻
What a ball that from @ImIshant 🔥🔥#GT have lost four wickets now and this is turning out to be a tricky chase!
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/VQGP7wSZAj #TATAIPL | #GTvDC pic.twitter.com/j7IlC7vf0X
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 2, 2023
Okay, Ishant just bowled the best knuckle ball wicket I’ve ever seen!
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 2, 2023
Readers must note that both Steyn and Sharma were teammates at Sunrisers Hyderabad between 2013-2015. While Steyn is currently employed with Hyderabad as a pace bowling coach, Sharma is into his 13th season of the IPL.
What is a Knuckle Ball in Cricket?
In simple words, a knuckle ball in cricket is defined as a type of a slower delivery usually bowled by a fast bowler. In the general run of things, a pacer holds a ball between his index and middle finger and the thumb.
However, in the case of a knuckle ball, a bowler holds a ball in between the knuckles of the index and middle finger and the thumb. As mentioned above, the whole intention of bowling this variety ball is to deceive the batter with pace (as can be seen in the aforementioned video).
