The ingredients that keep Praveen Kumar ticking

For someone whose bowling speed in the match versus Bangladesh ranged between 112 and 136 kph, Praveen Kumar...

For someone whose bowling speed in the match versus Bangladesh ranged between 112 and 136 kph, Praveen Kumar has done well to earn skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni8217;s trust with the new ball. There are no pretensions to speedgun-rattling pace here, but the 22-year-old has devised means to claim early breakthroughs for his captain.

It was Praveen8217;s run-an-over analysis in the first six he bowled, including his opening dream spell of 5-2-5-1, that ensured India kept a tight leash on Bangladesh early in the first innings. Kumar had clinched his third four-wicket-haul when bowling to Pakistan two days back, and on Thursday 8212; without the batsmen quaking at the sight of a tearaway 8212; he had contributed to give the Bangladesh total a ring of modesty, not the threat of a challenge. His final spell of 10-2-32-1 8212; the figures ballooning only after three late boundaries, one a serious mis-field from Irfan Pathan 8212; meant he had once again justified Dhoni8217;s faith.

What is it, in the era when opening quicks bend backs and further backwards, that makes Kumar a tricky prospect? Variations in pace, variety in swing 8212; though not essentially prodigious 8212; and late movement have fetched him his 15 wickets as yet. More importantly, he gets them quickly at the top of the order.

Brain over brawn

Years of toiling on myriad Indian domestic pitches, living with the liability of having neither too much swing nor express pace, have compelled the UP all-rounder to use his head. Despite a goofy grin and 8216;rustic8217; shyness when asked to speak, Kumar defies his simplicity with deception in his bowling.

Between Meerut and Mirpur, his big day was at Brisbane when he claimed 4-46 in the decisive final against Australia 8212; making Gilchrist walk to a gentle edge in his final game, besides forcing Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee to mis-time their pulls.

Pommie Mbangwa was known to bowl the slower ball excruciatingly slow, but Praveen Kumar manages the maximum effect, tempting batsmen by bowling them short too.

Slow-and-short is an unusual cocktail. After his 10 wickets in Australia, Kumar got four more on a belter here in Bangladesh, and the hero of UP8217;s solitary Ranji winning title has come a long way.

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His strength is the in-swing to the right-hander bowled from very close to the stumps, but his slow loopy bouncers from round the wicket are equally effective.

On the final delivery of every over, his variations are at an experimental best. When angry 8212; as he was on Thursday when Irfan botched one while fielding to concede the second of the three boundaries he gave away 8212; Kumar came from just a five-step run-up and hurled a yorker.

A big-hitter, who can also open with the bat, has made the most of the chances that have come his way. Ask Dhoni what does the trick. The captain simply smiles, and shakes his head. 8220;I just ask him to go for the next one,8221; he says. They all add up and wickets get accumulated.