IPL 2024: TN spinner M Siddharth optimistic about having good stint with Lucknow Super Giants

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner M Siddharth’s grind over the last few years bore fruit when he was acquired by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 2.4 crore at the Indian Premier League 2024 auction in Dubai recently.

Siddharth, 25, will return to the IPL fold after two years, having been part of Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals in 2020 and 2021 respectively. After passing the first test – of coming back to the League – with flying colours, Siddharth will have his task cut out at Super Giants, a franchise stacked with quality spinners.

There will be heavy competition for places as fellow slow bowlers Krunal Pandya, Amit Mishra, Ravi Bishnoi and Krishnappa Gowtham are also part of the setup. But Siddharth is up for the challenge. “I feel that I am ready for this level. I have improved my skillset. As you grow older, you become more mature. You also think better in key moments,” Siddharth told TOI.

“We have a star-studded team; most of the players are internationals. Even at KKR and DC, it was the same. Most of the spinners were playing international cricket. At LSG, we have experienced spinners. So, I will learn whatever I can. There was good assistance for spinners on the Lucknow pitches in the last IPL (2023). So, I must deliver my best if I get an opportunity. It will be nice if I make my IPL debut this year,” said Siddharth.

So how did he upgrade his game? Siddharth replied that he put in the hard yards behind the scenes with coach AC Prathiban, whenever he was not on domestic (with TN) or local (with Vijay CC in the TNCA First Division or Kovai Kings in the Tamil Nadu Premier League) duties.

“There was consistent practice. I also focused a lot on my fitness and diet. I would train with Prathiban sir for about five days every week; I would bowl a lot of balls. As I kept bowling, I knew where I had to improve upon… like technique. I bowled a lot in the last two years,” said Siddharth, adding that he worked extensively on his powerplay bowling.

“What lengths to bowl, how to keep the batters guessing and how to set fields… I also made some changes to my bowling technique, with the help of Prathiban sir. I worked on my game, and the IPL contract is a reward for it. I must also mention that Kovai Kings backed me a lot. They allowed me to stick to my strengths. Only via my TNPL performances was I able to show what I am capable of. They played a big role in helping me get back to the IPL,” said Siddharth, who picked up 11 wickets in Kovai’s title-winning run last year.

Siddharth stressed that he is putting in a great deal of effort to turn into a multi-utility player. “Most of the teams are looking for allrounders, so I am working on my batting. I have improved my batting in the last couple of years. Now, I need to show it in matches.”