TNPL 2026: D. Deepesh develops pace variations for Madurai Panthers
D. Deepesh, 18, finished with three for 38 as Madurai Panthers secured a win over SKM Salem Spartans at the NPR College Ground in Dindigul on Monday in the TNPL 2026.
The 2026 u-19 World Cup winner said he has been working on more than raw speed during a two-week gap after the TNCA First Division League, training under mentor Sandeep Warrier. “I got a good idea. That’s been helpful. We didn’t just work on speed alone. We worked on slower ones and yorkers, and bowling according to the situation. Speed is my natural ability,” Deepesh said after his team’s third successive win, against SKM Salem Spartans, at the NPR College Ground here on Monday.
On his relationship with Warrier, Deepesh described frequent discussions about his bowling since his time in the u-19 circuit. “Ever since I started playing in the u-19 circuit, we have spoken a lot and have been working closely. He has been very helpful to me. “In fact, I would say he’s the only person I’ve always spoken to about my bowling. Even this morning, I spoke with him. We discuss my bowling plan before almost every match,” Deepesh said.
His performances in the TNPL have varied across matches: a tidy one for 25 in the opening match against Trichy Grand Cholas, a costly spell conceding 45 in three overs against Vida Kovai Kings, and on Monday he recovered by taking three for 18 in his last two overs after going for 20 runs in his first two.
Deepesh credited team support and the coaching staff for helping him handle pressure during the tournament. “Even after I got hit, the team didn’t let me down. They were very encouraging. The bowling coach (assistant coach A.C. Prathiban) backed me a lot. We spoke about it. Pressure got to me in that situation. So today [Monday], I focused on bowling without letting the pressure get to me,” he said.
He has repeatedly crossed 140 kph, even touching 146 kph, while working on varying his pace. The victory was Madurai Panthers’ third successive win in the TNPL.
