All-rounder Saurabh Kumar is thrilled after his maiden call-up to the national side for the IND vs ENG 2nd Test. Kumar replaced Ravindra Jadeja for the 2nd Test after the latter was ruled out due to injury. The UP spinner jubilant on his inclusion in the side and cited his experience as collateral.
IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Saurabh Kumar delighted with inclusion
”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,” says Kumar.
Saurabh also reflected on the opportunity to bowl to Kohli and Sharma. He explained it as a great experience, adding that there was so much to learn from it.
‘‘Not everyday 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,” said Saurabh.
Similar to Ravindra Jadeja, Saurabh Kumar is a spin-bowling all-rounder. The cricketer who represents Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket is a left-handed batter like Jadeja and bowls left-arm orthodox spin like him.
Although not quite on the level of Jadeja, Saurabh is a handy batter who averages a touch over 27 with the bat. With the ball, he has a proven record and has taken 290 first-class wickets in 68 matches.
In the recently concluded India A vs England Lions 2nd Test, Saurabh Kumar starred with both bat and bowl. He claimed six wickets, scored 77 runs in the match, and gave the selectors a glimpse of his capabilities.
