THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From making a living out of masonry to the doorsteps of the Kerala cricket team -- Vinod Kumar C V, the seaming allrounder who is the only new face in the state's Ranji Trophy squad for the new season, has come a long way and is turning over a new leaf in his career.
The 29-year-old from Mundoor in Thrissur district only started playing the game professionally at the age of 19 and had to battle his share of injuries over the recent years. In the end, Vinod has come out bruised but is stronger for the ordeal.
"I had to quit school after 10th standard as my family was in a bad way. Instead, I went for painting work and masonry; whatever work I could find," said Vinod, a right-hand batsman and medium-pacer. "My only tryst with the game was tennis ball cricket on the weekends," he said.
Returning to school after a gap of three years, there was no stopping Vinod -- at least until a string of injuries halted his career since 2011. "I had played a few T20 matches for Kerala and had just joined the State Bank of Travancore when I injured my shoulder ruling me out for six months," said Vinod.
This is not the first time he is being called up to the Ranji Trophy camp either. In 2012, he impressed in the camp but dislocated his knee during an SBT training session. It took him a full two years to return to the top of his game only to be weighed down by another knee injury.
"Looking at my knee after the surgery, I thought I was never going to play again," said Vinod who prepared strenuously at the Athreya Cricket Academy in his hometown for the last one year.
However, it looks like Vinod's time has come, though at the age of 29. "I know it is a little late, but my mind is still fresh and concentrated as I have not experienced this before," he said.
"I am confident I can do well for the team. I haven't had much experience playing the longer format, but I am targeting 35 wickets and 400 runs this season," said a confident Vinod from Alappuzha where Kerala are preparing ahead of October 6's opener against Jammu and Kashmir.
"I want to do my best for Kerala in the limited time I have in my career. Rather than any personal gains, I would like to help Kerala get promoted from the Group C this season itself," said Vinod.
