Akeal Hosein doesn’t quite fit the conventional mould of a PowerPlay bowler.

A left-arm spinner entrusted with the new ball in a format dictated by power-hitters, Hosein has turned that role into an advantage — as he showed in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) emphatic win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

His spell of four for 17 not only broke the back of the MI chase but also underlined his growing influence this season. Having featured just once in the 2023 IPL, Hosein has made rapid strides, with his ability to read surfaces quickly and adapt lengths emerging as his x-factor.

“I’ve been trying to pick the coaches’ and players’ brains on red soil, black soil… what works where,” Hosein said, explaining the homework behind his execution. The key, he added, lies in making quick assessments — understanding pace off the surface, which deliveries grip and which skid — and relaying that information to his fellow bowlers.

Bowling in the PowerPlay, he admitted, comes with inherent risk. With only two fielders outside the circle, margins are thin. But Hosein’s approach is rooted in clarity and courage.

“You know the batters are going to come at you… it’s about being brave,” he said, before revealing a piece of advice from Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies T20 legend who is now a mentor with Kolkata Knight Riders, that has stayed with him. “If you are going to get hit, at least get hit to the two fielders protecting the boundary.”

That clarity of plan — bowl to the field, commit to the delivery — has allowed Hosein to thrive in phases where most spinners are shielded.

If his bowling has been about control, his celebrations have added a touch of theatre. The now-familiar “mask” gesture after wickets, he insisted, carries no deeper meaning.

“Everybody seems to have their own mask. Noor has a mask, a couple of footballers have their masks, so I just chose this one. I just chose this one to be my mask,” Hosein said.

“Nothing too much behind it. It’s just about, you know, celebrating small victories. Whenever you do well, you get a wicket. Whenever your teammates get a wicket as well, you just try to enjoy that moment and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.”

CSK will be hoping for Hosein’s mask celebrations to continue for the remaining season.

Published on Apr 24, 2026