Anureet prepares for long haul

Anureet had burst to the scene with a dream debut against Karnataka in November 2008, returning figures of 6/49 in Bangalore. He was the highest wicket taker for the team that year with 20 scalps. Anureet then got injured,playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders,in South Africa.

Not fully fit,he turned out for the U-22 team and broke down with fatigue. Ever since,he has been struggling with shin and back injuries. And though he returned in the 2010 season,with a total of 19 wickets,the Delhi boy was far from being his best. It was at this point that Railways coach Abhay Sharma decided to intervene.

“He has been struggling with the shin and back problems for a while now. Since the problems are co-related so we decided to work on his action and run up,” Sharma told Sportline on Monday.

“Cosmetic changes wouldn’t be of any help. He would run the risk of getting injured after one or two matches. The idea was to fix the problem in a way that would cut down on his chances of getting injured again. Hopefully we will get a good season from him this time,” said Sharma.

Fit again,the youngster said that the minor changes have not affected his rhythm,and that now he is comfortable with his

approach.

“My problems started with the KKR game. I Injured my hamstring and later on I started bowling without getting fully rehabilitated. As a result there was a lot of strain on my shin and back. But now I am back to my best. Hopefully my bad days are over,” Anureet said.

“I have cut down on my run up,and now I am steady,little lower in my delivery stride,” he explained the changes to his bowling.

Full fitness has also resulted in a good show at the zonal leg of the Syed Mustaq Ali Twenty20 tournament. In the three matches,he had figures of 3-0-12-2 against Uttar Pradesh,3-0-19-1 against Vidarbha and 4-1-16-0 against Rajasthan.

With a big season ahead,starting with the opening Super League encounter against Mumbai starting Thursday,Anureet is eager to put his work to test against the star-studded team. With fellow pacer Ranjitkumar Malhi doubtful for the Ranji opener,Anureet knows a lot of responsibility,especially with the new ball,rests on his shoulders. “I’m ready to give it my all. I am not feeling nervous,not thinking about the pitch,I want to bowl well that’s all,” he said.