Sport - Cricket

A moment to cherish for Badrinath

HYDERABAD: For Subramaniam Badrinath, it was a moment to cherish. Just as he was coming out of the ‘nets’ with his teammates of the Board President’s XI at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (on the eve of the four-day match against the Australians), he was informed by the media about his selection in the Indian squad. And his immediate reaction was : “I am there in the squad?”

This after his captain Yuvraj Singh left the place only a few moments before with a despondent look as the news of the selection of Indian team trickled in at the venue.

But once the feeling sank in, the 28-year-old Badrinath from Chennai said he was really happy at his inclusion in the Indian team for the first two Tests against Australia. “This is dream come true for me. In a way I was expecting this,” he remarked.

“The fact that I was included in the squad to take on the Australians, the best side in the world, is very satisfying for me. It should be a great feeling to play against them and there can be no better satisfaction than living up to expectations in the forthcoming series,” Badrinath said.

This unassuming cricketer felt that in the context of his selection in the Indian team, he would be keen to make optimum use of playing for Board Presidents XI against Australia.

“This match gives me a great opportunity to face the bowling attack and will allow me to assess what sort of adjustments I have to make in order to be successful,” he pointed out.

Commenting on the Australian bowling, Badrinath, who played three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka recently, says the seam attack of the Aussies is really good though the spinners are a bit inexperienced.

How does he rate India’s chances against them? “The major plus point is the home advantage but anyhow we are capable of surprising them,” he pointed out.

Reputed to be one of the best fielders in domestic cricket, Badrinath hoped that he would perform well in the Tests against the Australians saying that he always put in a special effort in this department in training sessions.

Not surprisingly he steered clear of the subject when asked to comment on the role of Greg Chappell with the Australians. “I can’t comment on that,” he said. So was his response when asked what position he would prefer to bat. His brief reply was “anywhere”.

A delighted Badrinath gave full credit to his family members for always supporting him despite facing so many ups and downs.

“I owe every bit of life to them,” he concluded.

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