Saurabh Kumar, a seasoned cricketer with a decade in domestic cricket, experienced a significant shift in his career on Monday as he secured a spot in the Indian squad for the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam on February 2, 2021. The 30-year-old left-arm spinner, who had been part of the Indian squad during the 2022 series against Sri Lanka, now harbours hopes of earning a coveted national cap.
Although it’s uncertain if he’ll debut ahead of Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar. This opportunity grants Kumar another chance to share the field with eminent names in Indian cricket, like Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin—an aspiration shared by many cricketers.
“It has always been a dream to be a part of the Indian team. I mean which cricketer wouldn’t want that? Lot of things need to come together for it, but I have had a bit of experience,” Kumar expressed.
The mentioned “experience” dates back to 2021 when Kumar served as a net bowler during England’s tour—a crucial starting point for his upward trajectory.
“Not every day you will get a chance to bowl to a Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, especially if you are a domestic player. They hardly play in Ranji Trophy or other domestic matches because of national commitments. So, it was a chance for me to have a closer look at them and study how they approach their game and their other routines. It was a great experience to bowl to and interact with some top-level players. There was so much to learn from them,” Kumar elaborated on his invaluable exposure.
While being selected as a net bowler indicates recognition for his consistency in domestic cricket, Kumar had to overcome challenges typical for a first-class cricketer in India. In a cricketing landscape where a first-class career often hits a winter phase by the age of 30, Kumar’s dedication to learning and hard work since 2014 sets him apart.
“Bishan sir (late Bishan Singh Bedi) used to tell me to keep working hard and be mentally ready to give my best whenever the opportunity comes. I never really keep myself away from nets or bowling,” Kumar said, having fine-tuned his skills under Bedi’s guidance at summer camps in Delhi.
“Saurabh (Kumar) is a fantastic cricketer, a good reader of the game and situation. He knows how to adjust his line and length. He has got a lot of experience in bowling in these conditions and against some really good players in domestic cricket like (Cheteshwar) Pujara or Mayank (Agarwal), who score heavy runs,” praised Sunil Joshi, former India left-arm pacer and current UP coach.
Kumar, a regular face in India ‘A’ tours, showcased his growing prowess in a recent match against England Lions, contributing with both bat and ball. Joshi highlights Kumar’s improved batting, making him a valuable asset to any team.
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