Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Saurabh Kumar has been picked in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The first Test will be played in Mohali from March 4 to 8, while the second will be held in Bengaluru from March 12 to 16.
“Saurabh Kumar has been doing very well in domestic cricket. He went to South Africa with India A. The selectors are very happy with Saurabh Kumar’s performance.”, said Chief selector Chetan Sharma while interacting with the media. Earlier, Saurabh was selected as a net bowler for the Test series against England in 2021.
Here we take a look at 5 unknown facts about Saurabh Kumar:
#5 Stellar First-Class Record
Saurabh has been selected in the Indian squad because of his outstanding performances in domestic cricket for Services and Uttar Pradesh. In 46 First-class games, he has 196 wickets at an average of 24.15, with 16 five-wicket hauls and six 10-wicket hauls. Saurabh got 44 wickets in the last Ranji Trophy season (2019-20) and in the season before that (2018-19) he registered 51 scalps. He had a big game against Haryana in December 2018, where he registered figures of 14-65.
Saurabh Kumar has got a maiden India call up
Saurabh Kumar FC stats
Matches:46
Innings:82
Wickets:196
5w:16
10w:6#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/a7pQ0aNj3D— Sports Flash (@SportsFlash_1) February 19, 2022
#4 Struggle
Saurabh used to travel from Baghpat (in Uttar Pradesh) to New Delhi by a train, three times a week, to practise at Sunita Sharma’s cricket academy. His father also used to join him in these journeys. Despite their financial limitations, Saurabh’s family always supported him in his career.
Twenty years ago Mr Bishan Singh Bedi spotted #SaurabhKumar at his coaching clinic in Nehru Stadium. "The lad has tremendous control on his flight," Bedi sir had said. I am so happy to see Saurabh picked in the Test squad. 7 matches for Services and 33 for UP. pic.twitter.com/5u7ZfmsDL1
— Vijay Lokapally 🇮🇳 (@vijaylokapally) February 19, 2022
#3 Batting Talent
Saurabh is also a capable batter, with two first-class hundreds and eight fifties at an average of 29.11 in first-class cricket. In the 2016-17 season of Ranji Trophy, he smashed a century against Baroda and had a 192-run stand with Kuldeep Yadav for the eighth wicket.
#2 UP teammates
Kuldeep Yadav and Saurabh both hail from Uttar Pradesh and are said to have a great relationship. Saurabh has also played under the captaincy of former India player Suresh Raina. The international experience of both the players has benefitted Saurabh a lot in his career.
#1 Indian Premier League (IPL)
Saurabh was a member of Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL 2017, where he was in company of players like MS Dhoni, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Faf du Plessis. At the IPL 2021 auctions, Punjab Kings signed Saurabh for INR 20 lakhs. Unfortunately, he went unsold in the IPL 2022 mega-auctions