Jammu and Kashmir have again proven to be a fertile ground for cultivating pace bowling talent in the Indian cricket landscape. The region has given rise to a new sensation in the fast bowling department – Rasikh Salam Dar. The 24-year-old pacer has gradually progressed from a promising domestic talent to a key player for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.
It was back in 2019 when Rasikh Salam Dar first came into the limelight, making his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians. Despite an impressive start, he only managed to get one game that season. His journey in domestic cricket with Jammu & Kashmir was marked by consistent performances with line, length, and variation, yet opportunities in the IPL seemed limited.
Patience and resilience paid off in 2022 when he was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders. However, his stint was short-lived as he played just one game before an injury sidelined him from the next. Fast forward to IPL 2024, Salam has finally garnered a longer streak of matches, and the success that had previously eluded him is now within his grasp as a member of the Delhi Capitals squad.
At the onset of the tournament, the young pacer had a tough start and was deemed expensive, leading to his temporary exclusion from the playing eleven. His return was necessitated by the team’s struggles with their overseas bowling options. With seasoned bowlers like Anrich Nortje, Lizaad Williams, and Jhye Richardson underperforming, the Capitals opted for an all-Indian pace attack, catalyzing Salam’s resurgence.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, known for being a run-fest for batsmen, has posed a significant challenge for bowlers this season. Amidst these conditions, Rasikh Salam Dar found his niche. While Khaleel Ahmed and Ishant Sharma shouldered the responsibility of the powerplay overs, the death overs demanded someone to share the bowling load with Mukesh Kumar, and Salam was up for it.
His pivotal moment came during a nail-biting clash against the Gujarat Titans. The Capitals won by a slender margin of four runs, but Salam’s contribution was anything but negligible. He took the crucial wicket of GT’s top scorer in that match, Sai Sudharsan, and then went on to dismiss power hitters Shahrukh Khan and Sai Kishore, playing a significant role in Delhi’s victory.
Continuing his impressive form, Salam bagged another hat-trick of wickets in the following game against Mumbai Indians. On the varied pitch of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, he showed no fear in attacking the batting lineup, disrupting a dangerous partnership and finally getting rewarded with the wicket of Rajat Patidar, despite multiple dropped catches.
Rasikh Salam’s prowess at the death was further underscored when he picked up the wicket of Swapnil Singh. His ability to skid the ball, coupled with an effective slower delivery and high pace, has added a new dimension to Delhi’s bowling attack. His performances have not only been adequate but have shown such promise, and it is anticipated that the franchise may consider retaining him for the upcoming seasons.
The journey of Rasikh Salam Dar echoes the stories of many cricketers who have faced challenges along the path to success. However, it is his relentless spirit and skillful performances that make his narrative stand out in the IPL 2024. Delhi Capitals and their fans are hopeful that his growth continues, helping the team to secure a coveted playoff spot, and potentially, the IPL championship.
