The man who derailed Tamil Nadu within the Ranji Trophy duel right here on Friday, learnt his abilities in Chennai’s TNCA senior division league.
It wouldn’t be a comforting thought for the host that a number of outstation cricketers are making higher use of the TNCA league than they themselves do.
Speaking to Sportstar after his match-winning six-for on ultimate day, Andhra off-spinner Shoaib Md. Khan mentioned, “I owe a big thanks to Nelson [his team in the league], to Srinivasa Raj sir, and the TNCA.’’
He added, “In fact, I learnt to bowl long spells and maintain my consistency only while operating in the TNCA first division league.”
Shoaib’s Chennai connection doesn’t finish there. R. Ashwin is his position mannequin in off-spin. He studied eleventh and twelfth at St. Bede’s faculty, after which graduated from New College.
Asked about bowling in a excessive strain scenario within the Tamil Nadu second innings, Shoaib mentioned, “I enjoy bowling in these situations. It brings out the best in me.”
He added, “I was taking it ball by ball. I was focussing on the next delivery and what I needed to do. I was not letting any pressure get to me.”
On having to shoulder a large load – two of Andhra’s bowlers B. Ayappa and Lalith Mohan had been injured as the sport moved in direction of the climactic part – Shoaib mentioned, “It made me bowl with greater control. The pressure brings out the best in me.”
Shoaib mentioned he employed three sorts of deliveries. “My off-spinner, the one that comes with the arm and the one that holds its line. They brought me a lot of success.”
He mentioned, “I wanted to settle into a good rhythm and bowl in the right areas because there was help from the pitch. Towards the end, as Tamil Nadu got closer, I knew it was a matter of just one wicket.”
Among all his wickets, Shoaib relished dismissing B. Aparajith. “He can take the match away from you quickly. I bowled the perfect off-spinner’s delivery that went through the gate to castle him.”
Shoaib then spoke about inspirational skipper Hanuma Vihari. “He is the very reason I am playing cricket. He is an inspiring figure who fills the players with confidence.”
A free-stroking batter, Shoaib got here up with an innings of 84 in opposition to Mumbai within the earlier Ranji recreation. And his strokeful 28 right here on the fourth day was an important contribution. “I consider myself an all-rounder. And I practise a lot of batting in the nets,” he mentioned.
No prizes for guessing the Man of the Match right here in Coimbatore.