IPL Is The Link Between International And Domestic Cricket: R Vinay Kumar

Indian seasoned domestic veteran R Vinay Kumar might not have a celebrated international career; however, he gave it all in his limited appearances. R Vinay Kumar donned the national jersey in 31 ODIs, 1 Test, and nine T20Is between 2010 and 2013. The right-arm pacer, who is part of the India Legends in the Road Safety World Series 2021, claimed that IPL was the way forward from domestic to international cricket.

After playing cricket for more than a decade, R Vinay Kumar quit all forms of the game last week. The 37-year old bowled his heart out on the Indian pitches, featuring in 139 first-class matches and 141 List A fixtures. He picked up 504 first-class wickets alongside 225 in List A. He also once captained Karnataka to victory in the Ranji Trophy.

Nevertheless, R Vinay Kumar could not make it big in international cricket as inconsistency cost him his spot. The Karnataka seamer played only one Test, which was against Australia in Perth, with Michael Hussey being his only wicket. As far as Kumar’s IPL career goes, he played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. He managed 105 scalps in as many fixtures at 28.25.

After playing in the IPL, my thinking process and decision-making changed: R Vinay Kumar

R Vinay Kumar claimed that playing in the first IPL season was crucial and that the marquee T20 league was the link between domestic and international cricket. The 37-year old conceded that playing in IPL allowed him to feature alongside India’s national players and international ones, which otherwise would not have been possible only with domestic cricket. He also revealed that plying his trade in IPL enhanced his decision-making and thinking process, helping him at the international level.

“The key was playing in IPL from its first season. Having played for Karnataka and then to go on to play for India, IPL was the link between the domestic and international cricket. When I played in the IPL, I got the opportunity to play with all the Indian stars and all the international players. I would not have got that opportunity playing only domestic cricket. After playing in the IPL, my thinking process changed, the decision-making changed. That helped me perform at the international level,” Vinay Kumar told News 18.

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