Fast-tracked tearaway pacer ready for debut

Yet to make his first class debut,Ravi was first spotted at a recent open trial organised by the Hyderabad Cricket Association. Watching the youngster at net on Tuesday,it is easy understand why Ravi would have caught the eye of the scouts among the 600 boys who turned up at the nets.

Having picked up the game in all earnestness quite late in life,the young pacer is presently overwhelmed by the speed with which his destiny has changed.

The son of a lab technician,Ravi admits his life has changed dramatically in the last few months. “It’s a dream come true for me to play for Hyderabad. I have never ventured out of my city. My biggest goal from cricket is that I hope to make my family lead a comfortable life,” says Ravi matter of factly.

Resembling Srinath

When asked about his role models,the lanky pacer names Ishant Sharma and Morne Morkel. “They both love to bowl fast and I am also pretty much like them in physique,” he says with a smile.

Coach Joshi says Ravi is a natural cricketer. “He’s much sharper from the rest of the bowlers in the side and we have made a conscious decision not to tamper with his natural action. He reminds me of a young Javagal Srinath. His loading and delivery action is very similar and also that he’s as thin and wiry as Srinath when he burst into the scene,” recalls Joshi. The excited coach is toying with the idea of sending Ravi to train with Srinath and get groomed under the former Indian pacer’s watchful eyes.

“He impressed everyone of us with his sharp pace and stood out during the trials. Shivlal Yadav was quick to get impressed with him and with his experience,he was sure that this boy had a bright future,and eye for talent,” says Noel David,former Indian off-spinner and currently Hyderabad’s fielding coach.

The pitch at Palam isn’t the best for a fast bowler to make his debut but Joshi is confident that the promising pacer would not compromise on pace against Punjab and make his own mark.