Vyshak Vijaykumar — PBKS' Breakout Pacer in IPL 2026 (Profile, Stats, Role)

Share this article
Vijaykumar Vyshak — searched as "vijaykumar vyshak" and "vyshak vijaykumar" — is the name fans are suddenly typing into Google during IPL 2026 Match 17 against SRH. Here is why: the Karnataka right-arm fast bowler has turned into Punjab Kings' most reliable Indian seamer in the opening rounds of IPL 2026, and his death-overs numbers read like a specialist's.
Quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Vijaykumar Vyshak |
| Role | Right-arm fast bowler |
| Domestic team | Karnataka |
| IPL team | Punjab Kings (PBKS) |
| PBKS auction price | ₹1.80 Crore (2025 mega auction) |
| Previous IPL team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| IPL debut | Career-best 3/20 on tournament debut vs Delhi Capitals |
Vyshak Vijaykumar IPL career stats
- IPL matches played: 18 (and counting)
- IPL wickets: 22
- Overs bowled: 63.3
- Career-best figures: 3/20 (on debut vs DC)
- Batting average: 7.00 (14 career runs)
- Primary role: Powerplay seamer and death-overs enforcer
He is not on the team sheet for batting impact — he is there to take wickets in the two phases that decide T20 matches: the powerplay and the death.
IPL 2026 form — why fans are searching him
Through PBKS' opening IPL 2026 fixtures, Vyshak has registered 5 wickets in just 2 matches, with 3 of those wickets coming in the death overs. That is an extraordinary strike rate at the hardest phase of a T20 innings. Against CSK at Chepauk — notoriously tough for visiting seamers — his figures of 2/38 were the best by any PBKS bowler.
In a PBKS attack that also features Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett and Lockie Ferguson, Vyshak has forced his way into first-choice selection by doing the death-overs job that captains worry about.
What makes Vyshak different
- Hard lengths at 138–142 kph: Vyshak is not the fastest bowler on the PBKS card, but he hits a consistent hard length that forces batters into cross-bat shots.
- Natural scrambled seam: Gets the old ball to wobble late, which is why he is so effective from over 16 onwards.
- Yorker control: His right-arm over yorker to right-handers is his go-to delivery at the death — low-to-mid 140s with good accuracy.
- Temperament: Unflustered in pressure overs, which is the trait that separates genuine death-overs bowlers from good new-ball seamers.
Role in the PBKS XI
Under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, Vyshak's role is clear:
- Powerplay over or two — one, sometimes two overs to break partnerships at the top
- Overs 16–20 — two to three death overs against the middle-order finishers
- Matchup selection — used against right-handed power hitters where his hard length yields extra bounce
This is why, for SRH Match 17 at Mullanpur, Vyshak is likely to be used against Travis Head in the powerplay and then against Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy at the death.
Fantasy Dream11 value
On Dream11 for the IPL 2026 PBKS vs SRH Match 17, Vyshak is a differential captain/vice-captain pick:
- Captain ceiling: 120+ points on a 3-wicket night
- Floor: Even a tidy 1/30 returns ~60+ points with bowling points
- Ownership: Relatively low compared to Arshdeep or Cummins, making him a high-EV differential in Grand Leagues
For a full team build, see our PBKS vs SRH Dream11 Match 17 prediction and Dream11 Grand League strategy guide.
FAQs
Which team does Vyshak Vijaykumar play for in IPL 2026? Vijaykumar Vyshak plays for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2026. PBKS bought him at the 2025 mega auction for ₹1.80 Crore.
What are Vyshak Vijaykumar's best IPL figures? His career-best IPL figures are 3/20, which he recorded on his tournament debut against Delhi Capitals.
How many wickets does Vyshak Vijaykumar have in IPL 2026? Through the opening fixtures of IPL 2026, Vyshak has taken 5 wickets in 2 matches, with 3 of those coming in the death overs.
Is Vyshak Vijaykumar the same as Vijaykumar Vyshak? Yes — his full name is Vijaykumar Vyshak. He is commonly listed on broadcast graphics as "Vyshak Vijaykumar", which is why both spellings trend during matches.
Who does Vyshak Vijaykumar play domestic cricket for? He represents Karnataka in domestic Indian cricket (Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy).
Keep reading
Share this article
Rahul Sharma
Expert in: Domestic CricketRahul Sharma has played district-level cricket in Mumbai for 8 years and has personally tested more than 50 bats, pads, gloves, and helmets across different price ranges. He joined CricJosh to help Indian club cricketers make smarter equipment choices without overpaying. His reviews are based on real match and net session use, not sponsored samples.
Why trust this review: Rahul has used every product in this review across multiple match and net sessions before writing a word. He buys equipment at retail price and accepts no free samples.
Related Articles



8 min read · 2 May 2026
