CHENNAI: The reason behind Ashok Dinda’s success over the past few months is as simple as simplicity itself.
Ask the Bengal medium-pacer about the 43 dots balls he sent down during his team’s Vijay Hazare Group C clash against Goa at the Murugappa Cricket Ground on Tuesday, and his reply may sway you into believing that statement.
“I was just focussing on bowling in the right areas; length balls on the wickets. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary,” explained the 32-year-old. Dinda’s 10-0-22-0 played a major role in garroting Goa’s run-flow. With that snowballing into Goa folding for a meek 213/9 at the end of their quota, Bengal cruised to their second win.
“I just wanted to make the batsman play each time I bowled. That’s my aim, and I’m very happy that I’m bowling the way I am at the moment.”
Though Dinda played a similar role for his team and zone (East) during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (6 wickets at an economy of 6.65 during the inter-state leg, and 2 wickets at an economy of 6 during the inter-zonal leg), containment is not his only skill.
“Beating your senior’s record is a great feeling. He’s a legend. The record is a milestone that I’ll remember,” remarks Dinda while referring to his run at the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy and former Bengal pace stalwart Ranadeb Bose.
Apart from him ending with 39 wickets — his state’s best and fourth-highest overall — Dinda surpassed Bose’s 317 scalps to become Bengal’s top wicket-taking speedster. These stellar domestic runs earned Dinda rewards in the form of India A appearances against both England (one-day) and Australia (three-day), but both outings culminated in a lukewarm fashion.
“My job is to keep performing. Some days I get wickets, some days I don’t. That also boils down to luck. I just want to do my best.”
rahulravi@newindianexpress.com