The IPL has seen many an uncapped player come in as rookies and thrive to become a household name by contributing significantly to their teams’ success. One such player from 2026 is Sakib Hussain, who has been one of the finds of the season. The seamer from Bihar has been one of the best death bowlers in 2026, executing slower balls and yorkers with brilliant accuracy.
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has lauded Hussain for his brilliant spell against the Chennai Super Kings at the Chepauk, which
saw the Sunrisers Hyderabad qualify for the playoffs as they registered a five-wicket victory.
Chopra spoke of his slower delivery, comparing it with the slower balls bowled by the likes of Lungi Ngidi, Dwayne Bravo, and Jasprit Bumrah, who are premier death-bowlers in this format.
"Sakib Hussain, how well he is bowling. The Gopalganj Express has a quick-arm action, and he comes and bowls a slower one. The speciality of his slower one is that he doesn't bowl it full, and it doesn't dip. It's not Lungi Ngidi, Dwayne Bravo, or Jasprit Bumrah. He bowls it far and breaks his wrist so strongly that the ball gets stuck and turns after pitching," Chopra said, speaking on his YouTube channel.
Hussain has picked up 14 wickets in nine games and has played a vital role in SRH’s resurgence in the latter half of the season. He has bowled at an economy of 9.23, being one of their most reliable death bowlers. He announced himself on the scene when he picked up figures of 4 for 24 on debut against the Rajasthan Royals.
Against the Super Kings, he finished with figures of 2 for 34 in his four overs, dismissing the dangerous Urvil Patel and Shivam Dube. Chopra pointed out how his slower ball is dangerous and different from traditional off-cutters, and how he employed that delivery to dismiss Urvil and Dube.
"The problem with off-spin variation is that it comes in the arc if it falls too far away. It doesn't happen with him. His one goes slow after pitching and turns. He dismissed two guys like that. He dismissed Shivam Dube and Urvil Patel before that. Dismissing Urvil Patel was critical," he observed.
The Sunrisers restricted the Super Kings to a total of 180/7, which they chased down with an over to spare. Skipper Pat Cummins picked up figures of 3 for 28, and Ishan Kishan scored a 47-ball 70 as the team in orange confirmed their place in the final four of 2026.
