21-year-old Shivil Kaushik has been living up to the promise which had pushed Hull County CC to sign him for the 2016 English county season. He was instrumental in a win over Stamford Bridge on Saturday, when he celebrated his birthday, and had also picked up the Man of the Match award with a 5-wicket haul last weekend against Scarborough CC.
In the four matches that Shivil has played in the Yorkshire Premier League, the county’s biggest club competition, he has bowled 40 overs, 9 among them maidens, taken 10 wickets and conceded 135 runs. His bowling average over the last two matches is 8.01.
On Saturday, he was part of a rout that cleaned up Stamford Bridge for 74 within 25 overs, the target being chased with ease and full 10 points claimed. Against Scarborough, Shivil had picked up his first 5-wicket haul in England, also claiming a vital catch. His first two outings had yielded comparatively modest returns of 2/40 and 1/38.
Shivil has contributed 39% of the total wickets taken by his team in these four matches. There are many naysayers who refuse to acknowledge that the Gujarat Lions bowler has much to offer in the long run, but these figures stand against that.
With their latest win, fifth placed Hull CC have moved one spot towards the top, and are asking questions of fourth and third. With their enigmatic Indian import looking to have found a firm footing, they are in a position they would like to be.
Shivil does not have a contract with any of India’s domestic sides. He had been discovered by scouts of Hubli Tigers in the Karnataka Premier League, where he was so impressive that he was picked up by the Rajkot-based IPL side in the February auctions for INR 10 lakhs. With no Ranji Trophy action to look towards in the upcoming season, like most other IPL cricketers, Shivil has headed for British shores.
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