'Kerala Maxwell' KK Jiyas hopes to shine for Delhi Daredevils

K.K. Jiyas

One of the youngesters in IPL 2015 who has been receiving a lot of attention in the build-up to the tournament is Delhi Daredevils’ 23-year-old recruit Karapak Kuzhiyil Jiyas, whose dual claims to fame are his slow left-arm chinaman bowling and a marked facial resemblance to Australia’s Glenn Maxwell.

‘Kerala Maxwell’, as Jiyas is known to friends back in his home state, was picked up by Delhi Daredevils for Rs. 10 lakh after coming under the spotlight as part of the Kerala Under-23 team in the C.K. Naidu trophy earlier in 2015.

The Daredevils thinktank had initially pushed for mystery spinner KC Cariappa in the auction, but on losing out on his signature to Kolkata Knight Riders, opted for Jiyas.

‘My life has completely changed in the space of 10 days’, said young Jiyas.

Cricket has always been Jiyas’ world: Father Abdul Latheef

“He is a very hardworking and committed player who has developed really well since joining us,” said P. Sivakumar, chairman of the academy in Kochi where Jiyas has spent the last 7 years chasing his passion for cricket.

Jiyas’ father Abdul Latheef, who drives a cab for a living, said about his son’s call-up to play in the most prestigous domestic tournament of the country, “He has been hooked to the game since ages. The only time I was a bit apprehensive about his passion for the game was during his Class 10 days when I feared it would affect his studies. But then I realised that cricket was his world,”

Delhi have spin options in Imran Tahir, Amit Mishra, Shahbaz Nadeem, apart from captain JP Duminy’s part-time offbreaks, and so the 23-year-old Jiyas will have to bide his time. Whatever be the case, Jiyas’ instant rise to stardom from being a struggling young cricketer is proof of the opportunity the IPL has provided and continues to provide this country’s pool of talented youths.