Jharkhand medium pacer Rahul Shukla seems to be slowly carving a niche for himself in the Indian cricket circuit.
The 22-year-old seamer is representing Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing Indian Premier League, after being released by Mumbai Indians earlier this year. Although he had only three outings for the Royals in the ongoing tourney, his bowling skills in dismissing experienced batsmen like Kallis and Bisla have not gone unnoticed.
Shukla had been approached by Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab after his stint with Mumbai Indians. But, he chose to join Rajasthan Royals and is learning a lot about the game from veterans like Rahul Dravid and Shaun Tait.
“Tait has asked me to try and avoid injuries. He has also told me to maintain a tidy line and length and bowl wicket-to-wicket,” Shukla told The Telegraph over phone from Mumbai.
He added that his most memorable moment in the IPL was when he dismissed KKR opener Manvinder Bisla. “Woh ball maine 141.1 kmph ke raftaar se phenki thi. Maine itni tez ball kabhi nahin pheki (I bowled that delivery at the speed of 141.1kmph. It was my fastest delivery),” Shukla recalled.
The pacer added that the ambience in Royals dressing room was very relaxing.
“The team management and senior players are very supportive. I have played limited matches for my team but I have learnt a lot,” he added.
The Royals, who have already qualified for the play-offs, will lock horns with Mumbai at the Wankhede on Wednesday. Asked whether he expected to be part of the playing XI, Shukla replied, “Umeed to hain. Dekhe kya hota hain (I am hopeful. Let’s see what happens)”.
Originally hailing from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, Shukla picked up lessons in pace bowling from former national cricketer Randhir Singh at Jarial Cricket Academy in Jamshedpur.
Later, his impressive performance at the Gatorade Pacers programme earned him a chance to train under former Australian pacer Dennis Lillie at MRF Pace Foundation, Chennai. He went on to debut in first class cricket against Tripura in 2009.
