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South Africa and Punjab Kings (PBKS) seamer Marco Jansen has opened up on his role as a first-change bowler in IPL 2026. The left-arm seamer revealed that his role as a first-change bowler is not down to the management thinking he cannot bowl in the first 1-2 overs. Instead, Jansen believes he has other attributes that he brings to the table.
How has Marco Jansen performed for the Punjab Kings?
Having been part of the Mumbai Indians and SunRisers Hyderabad but not getting too many opportunities, the Proteas seamer was snapped by ₹7 crore by the Punjab Kings ahead of IPL 2025. The left-armer was instrumental in Punjab Kings’ run to the finals last year, taking 16 scalps in 14 games at 27.13. He has performed decently in IPL 2026, bagging five wickets in six deliveries.
Often known to take the new-ball, when asked whether it has been challenging to adapt as the first-change bowler, Jansen said he has no qualms as Arshdeep Singh and Xavier Bartlett swing the ball more consistently. At the same time, the 25-year-old claimed that he thoroughly trusts his skills to be effective at any stage of the contest. He said in response to Read in a roundtable interaction.
“I’m used to taking the first or the second over but I also know I have have the skills to adapt to any situation or any particular time in the match to come in and do the job for the team. Obviously, someone who is a swing bowler and used to bowling with the new ball, you do have a weapon in your hand as well. So, coming in the 3rd, 4th or 5th over is definitely a different approach that I had to take. It’s not the case of me not doing the job or I can’t take wickets or thinking that my weapon is taken away. It’s actually the opposite because Arshdeep and Xavier can swing the ball more consistently than when I do. At the same time, I also realise that I have different attributes and skills that I bring to the bowling unit, into the table.”
Jansen claimed that he is unfazed by when Shreyas Iyer throws the ball to him as every bowler can make an impact.
“As a bowling unit, everyone knows there is a plan and reason. It’s not a case that they don’t believe I can’t do a good job. In the first or second over of the new ball, it’s a case of how well we bowl as a unit. Yuzi bowling in the middle, Shashank not bowling in the first few games but takes two in the first over of his season. I think it’s a nice place to be at as a bowler, player and as a bowling unit. We know it doesn’t matter where we bowl or where Shreyas decides to bowl a certain bowler. We know there is a reason behind it and whoever has the ball in his hand, whether it’s at the powerplay, middle-overs or death, we believe he will do the best job for the team.”
How has Punjab Kings performed in IPL 2026?
While it is still early days, Punjab Kings look like a shoo-in for a playoffs spot as they are yet to lose a game in six outings. They have won five, with the sixth resulting in a washout due to rains at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Their next game is against the Delhi Capitals on April 25, Saturday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
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