Post-injury,Nanda plans turnaround

After recent developments,Vijay Dahiya made a comeback as the chief coach of Delhi for the approaching 2012-13 domestic season.

After recent developments,Vijay Dahiya made a comeback as the chief coach of Delhi for the approaching 2012-13 domestic season. Another man who made a comeback with Dahiya is leg spinner Chetnya Nanda. Ironically,they both made exits and returns at the same time. But for Nanda,who had to sit at home and nurse an injured knee for 18 months,the Ranji probables camp is a new life altogether.

“It was a tough time. Sitting at home,doing nothing and only hoping when will that day come when I will once again grip the ball for Delhi. But all this while I didn’t want to rush my comeback because the knee injury was severe and had I pushed myself,there were chances of aggravating it and the gap would have been even more. Thankfully I am back to the business and the joy of bowling has multiplied,” said Nanda,after the Ranji camp at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium.

The Kotla camp though is a continuation for Nanda as he broke into the Delhi squad during the Moin-ud-Dowla cricket tournament played at Hyderabad last month. Unfortunately,out of three matches,he could figure in the playing XI only in the first match against Goa Cricket Association as his knee got stressed while fielding. As a precautionary measure,the leggie opted to warm the bench for the remaining two matches. But it has been more than ten days since the camp has been operational,and Nanda is as hale and hearty as before.

Story continues below this ad

“I am really enjoying the time on the field now since I am fully fit. My daily routine is running and a lot of bowling in the nets. The good thing is that my bowling is liked and appreciated by the coaches here. They stand by me and encourage me a lot. As a senior I have been assigned my role and I hope to perform accordingly this season,” Nanda,who last played for Delhi in February 2011,added.

Nanda’s return will strenghthen Delhi’s spin department as the leg spinner had been a vital cog of the squad in the past. His absence meant that youngsters such as Vikas Mishra and Manoj Chouhan were included in the Ranji side. In the 35 probables that participate in the camp,Nanda is accompanied by these two youngsters. But back after a long hiatus,does he feel stifled by the competition? Nanda modestly puts it in perspective. “I don’t and have never considered my fellow players as competition. My duty is to deliver my best and the same is expected from the fellow youngsters. I believe one can never perform if he is under pressure,” said the 33-year-old who has played 31 first class matches.

And now that he is in the zone,is he also looking to imbibe tactics such as the carrom ball? His response is in the negative again. “No I am surely not looking forward to develop any such variety to my bowling. I feel if you bowl at the right areas,a leg spin can do the job for you. There isn’t any harm in developing varieties but they all have to be used wisely. It has been close to two years that I haven’t been bowling and for that matter,I missed leg spin and I will stick to it,” Nanda chuckles.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram