Windies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph who made his IPL debut for the Mumbai Indians yesterday against the Sunrisers Hyderabad made history by recording the best bowling figures of the tournament in 12 years. He returned with exceptional figures of 6/12 to help MI coast to a 40 runs victory. Following the conclusion of the match, Alzarri Joseph said that he could not have asked for a better start in the tournament.
The 22-year-old became only the 2nd debutant in IPL history to bag a 5 wicket haul after Andrew Tye. This was not only the best bowling figures by a Mumbai Indians bowler in the IPL but his spell broke the 12-year record by Sohail Tanvir when he had finished with 6/14 in the inaugural edition of the league. It is indeed a huge moment for Alzarri Joseph to achieve such a unique feat in only his maiden game in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“It’s unbelievable. It’s a dream start. I don’t think it could get any better,” Joseph told his captain Rohit Sharma in an interview for iplt20.com after helping Mumbai Indians beat one of the contenders of the competition quite convincingly in the end.
Mumbai Indians started off the tournament with a defeat. They came back with a win against Royal Challengers Bangalore but again lost the plot as they lost their 3rd game. However, they have made a strong comeback in the last two matches and proved why they are the most successful franchise in the tournament along with Chennai Super Kings.
The youngster revealed that he just wanted to give his best from the time he came to know that he will be part of the Playing XI. “I just wanted to go out and put all my effort into this team,” the Caribbean pacer who replaced veteran Lasith Malinga in the playing eleven, told media after the victory. “It was my first game, I just wanted to get out there on the park and get bowling and get the wickets.”
Alzarri Joseph looked a calm and composed character at a young age and bagged the prized wicket of David Warner in the very first delivery he bowled. Apart from high fives with his teammates, Joseph didn’t celebrate any wicket wildly. He trusted his preparations coming into the game and he bowled his heart out. Joseph further revealed that he hardly celebrates after taking wickets. It is the victory which gives him the utmost satisfaction and he wants to win the championship for Mumbai Indians.
“I don’t really celebrate wickets, I celebrate wins. My aim isn’t just to get wickets, but to win the game for my team,” Joseph said.
He stated that he doesn’t believe in individual performances and plays only to win the match. “It’s not something I really play for. I only play for wins, not the limelight. It’s a good feeling but I want to win this tournament [for Mumbai Indians].”