V Koushik is not your typical fast bowler. He does not rely on raw pace or swing. What he has is accuracy, consistency, and a knack for taking wickets. Among his victims is 103-Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara.
From struggling to find a job on sports quota to waiting four years to make Ranjit debut, the Karnataka pacer’s journey has been anything but smooth.
The pacer is taking one step at a time towards his ultimate dream – Playing for Team India.
In this exclusive interview, Insidesport caught up with V Koushik to find out more about his challenges, his journey to Ranji, and his dream IPL wicket.
Insidesport: How did you make the transition from being an engineer and a content developer to a professional cricketer?
Koushik: I come from a middle-class family. My father was the only earner of the family and he worked for the Railways.
Once I was done with engineering, I was expecting to get picked for the railways team. I was looking for a job through school sports quota which didn’t happen for six to eight months. That time, I had to look for something so I joined Amazon. I didn’t have an option because you’re playing only a few matches in a year.
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Insidesport: How difficult was that for you to juggle between job and cricket?
Koushik: It was a little difficult because you had to work for 8-9 hours there was little time to practice. I eventually got a government job through sports quota. A senior guy saw my performances with the Karnataka team and told me that his organisation will surely take me when an opportunity comes. I was lucky enough to get there and post that the journey has been very nice.
Insidesport: You had to fight for your place in the team. It is not easy to cement your place with players like Prasidh Krishna, and Abhimanyu Mithun around. Was there any pressure?
Koushik: It was difficult. I made my debut for U-22, U-23 teams but for four years couldn’t play the Ranji Trophy selection matches because all the senior guys were playing. I hardly got any chance. I lost my prime years. But nevertheless, I had a wonderful journey I had good seniors as well.
I especially want to mention Abhimanyu Mithun because he has been the perfect workhorse of the Karnataka bowling department. He’s the one who put in all the effort. It’s very inspirational.
Insidesport: You had to wait till you were 26 to play for Karnataka in Ranji Trophy. Was there any negativity in those years?
Koushik: I mean, there was a lot of negative around me, probably not inside me but around me. I love playing cricket. But the people around my working job were questioning me and my skills.
I just motivated myself to put in good performances whenever I get an opportunity. And I was lucky enough to get a breakthrough in the Karnataka Ranji team.
Insidesport: Not many get Cheteshwar Pujara out for cheap. But you did. Did it feel like a sense of achievement?
Koushik: The feeling was surreal because the noise was too much. Pujara is one of the greatest Test batsmen India has ever produced.
The plan was to keep it on the stump line to get the ball inside. In the previous over, Pujara had a little trouble playing the ball that was coming in, and that made the difference.
Insidesport: We see how bowlers on the international level watch match videos to prepare against opposition. Is it the same in domestic cricket or just about backing your strength?
Koushik: We do watch videos when we play for the Karnataka team. But here for the South Zone, we didn’t have anything like that. I was just sticking to my strengths. Lately, I’ve been working on my delivery that pitches and comes inside sharply. And I was lucky enough that it came fruitful on the big match.
Insidesport: An Indian Express article compared you, Kaverappa, and Vyashak to the likes of Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, Anil Kumble, and Sunil Joshi. What do you make of it?
Koushik: I read it and felt nice but there’s still a long way to go. It is very early in our career to be compared with all those legends who have played so many matches in domestic and for the country. I just hope all three of us perform good and keep winning matches for the team.
Insidesport: But it does boost your morale to some extent?
Koushik: Yes, it does because I didn’t get a chance for many years but now I am getting it. It means there is always a path for the hard work. Whenever I get an opportunity to talk to the youngsters, I just tell them to keep working hard. There will be a phase where the hard work will reap success. If not this year, probably after two years or after three years. Just be prepared for that moment and keep working hard.
Insidesport: Despite being brilliant in the domestic circuit, you are yet to play in IPL. What do you make of it?
Koushik: I did well when Karnataka won their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I was the highest wicket-taker for Karnataka in that year. So, I’ve been waiting for that opportunity [to play in IPL].
Insidesport: While IPL does make an impact, players are being picked for India on the merit of domestic performances. Does that give you a boost to not let go of that dream?
Koushik: Of course. I just play and just enjoy the game of cricket. So, even if I’m not picked for any IPL team, my goal remains the same. I just want to keep my process simple and work on my performance. Whenever there’s an opportunity, I should be good enough.
Insidesport: So who are you really looking forward to playing for in IPL?
Koushik: Being from Bangalore, I would love to play for RCB one day. If not RCB, then playing under MS Dhoni will be my first priority. I was there as a net bowler for the Chennai Super Kings. So I just felt the energy and the environment around was nice.
Insidesport: And which player would be your dream dismissal?
If I’m playing for RCB. I would love to pick Rohit Sharma. If I’m playing against RCB, then taking the wicket of Virat Kohli will be a dream. He’s one of the biggest players in IPL history. He is the leading run scorer in IPL history so picking his wicket will be a dream.
Insidesport: A Test call-up or a staggering IPL contract? – You can only pick one.
Koushik: I would take the Test call-up. I will cherish that moment forever because playing for India is my ultimate goal. So if it is between the two, I will take the playing Test Cricket for India.
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