Fast-bowling captains are for cricket what profitable participant signings are for Manchester United – a rarity.
For years, Jaydev Unadkat has saved the flag flying for the quick bowlers in Indian home cricket, captaining Saurashtra with distinction. And now there’s Uttar Pradesh quick bowler Shivam Mavi, who made a profitable senior captaincy debut, main Central Zone to a win over East Zone within the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal this season.
“I have been a vice-captain in domestic cricket and have captained at the junior level. So that has helped my captaincy. This has been a good experience. We have a good team and everyone has been really supportive,” stated Mavi earlier than his facet’s semifinal in opposition to West Zone.
Speaking concerning the paucity of quick bowlers in management roles, the 24-year-old stated, “I have felt that it is difficult for a fast bowler to captain in Indian conditions as it is really hot and humid. The physical strain this puts on bowlers might be why selectors never go with fast bowlers as captains.”
“I got lucky with the good weather here and we didn’t have to bowl much (against East Zone),” he added with fun.
Mavi’s star rose in 2018 when he performed a pivotal function in India’s title win within the Under-19 World Cup. His development by means of the uneven waters of Indian cricket was usually held again by premature accidents, with the newest coming quickly after he made his worldwide debut, in opposition to Sri Lanka, the place he took a formidable four-wicket haul.
That setback noticed him sit out the remainder of the home season and miss the entire of the IPL, the place he was a part of the Gujarat Titans. But the lanky pacer believes he’s again to his finest.
“I am now bowling at 100%. I couldn’t play in the IPL because I had some niggles. But now I am fully fit and have been working hard on nets. I didn’t play much in the last few months as I didn’t want to rush back,” stated Mavi.
In addition to his function as fast-bowling captain, the Central Zone skipper additionally represents one other oddity. In a rustic the place fielding is an oft-neglected talent for pacers, Mavi gives a evident distinction. He has usually caught the eye for the spectacular catches he takes within the outfield and the huge floor he covers whereas manning essential fielding positions.
“I have always given great importance to fielding. Even when I was 11, I used to do a lot of fielding drills. Fast bowlers in our country are usually conditioned to not put much effort in fielding as most of our grounds are not in great condition and usually, we are the most injury-prone of the lot,” stated Mavi.
“When I was playing U-14 for Delhi, Suresh Raina noticed me and gave me a tip which helped my fielding tremendously. He said that my range was limited and told me that as a fast bowler, the more the distance I can cover on my feet, the lesser I have to dive and put my body at risk,” he added.
On Wednesday, Mavi’s Central facet shall be up in opposition to West, which has a batting lineup on par with most worldwide sides – Priyank Panchal, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Suryakumar Yadav, Sarfaraz Khan and Arpit Vasavada. But Mavi isn’t one to be fazed.
“For me, it doesn’t matter who I am bowling against. If you bowl in the right areas, you will get good results. You also have to keep in mind that at this level, you have to assume whoever you are bowling to is good.
Sometimes the ball won’t land where you want. But I believe that if you keep bowling with a positive mindset and body language, things will turn your way,” stated Mavi.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com