QUEEN’S ROAD: Karnataka’s left-arm seamer Sreenath Arvind has been included in the Indian team for the T20 series against South Africa.
Arvind, who played in the India A game against Bangaldesh A, was in line for selection with some fine performances in the IPL and on the domestic circuit. He bagged two wickets as the home side wrapped up the series 2-1 but was unaware of his selection.
“I got to know about my selection after the match. The players congratulated me and I thought it was for my bowling and didn’t realise it was for my selection. I was very happy later,” said Arvind.
He was selected for the ODI series versus England in 2011 but did not play a single game. Injuries later saw him watch the game from the sidelines. But with Australian pace man Mitchell Starc to guide him at Royal Challengers during the IPL, Arvind was a different man as he bagged wickets at crucial times. After Australian Adam Milne was injured, Arvind was drafted in.
“Yes, I am more prepared now. I was just very happy to be selected then, in 2011. From there to here, I have kept working hard and was waiting for this break. I haven’t thought much about selection but have been waiting for a good opportunity,” added Arvind, who had 42 scalps at 17.42 in the domestic season in 2014-15.
“IPL was of great help. We come across international players there and play under pressure, so it will help me. IPL is a good platform to come into India but even there, you have to perform. Wasim Akram was my role model and Mitchell Starc too, in the dressing room in RCB. I have tried to learn many things from them. I’ve learnt how to bowl yorkers from Starc,” Arvind confessed.
In the company of skipper Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun, Arvind formed a formidable trio which had a big role in Karnataka’s domination of domestic cricket with three major trophies in their cabinet. At 31, Arvind still has the fire in him to perform at the highest levels. Given a chance, Arvind can surely do enough to be the bowler who just might be a key player in the 2016 T20 World Cup to be hosted in India.