A mature head on young shoulders

He may not turn out be that big a find for India, but in that match between India B and the Seniors, that Santh delivery swung back well in time and was enough to catch the master batsman off guard. His “most cherished wicket” probably gave him the ticket to fame.

That Santh spell wreaked havoc in the Seniors’ ranks and odd that it may sound, it was possibly an instinctive reaction from the selectors. Of course, Greg Chappell himself had already directed the selectors to that path.

The impressive factors were: Santh wasn’t overawed in bowling to Tendulkar and the fact that he managed to analyse what could make the batsman feel uneasy. It’s about finding his rhythm, he says. He enjoys and grows on the spells that give him purchase. He is an optimist. ‘‘I learnt the secret of this at the MRF Pace Academy under Dennis Lillee and TA Sekar,’’ he says.

Lillee taught him the art of learning off his own bowling, to become more confident and on how he could correct his own mistakes.

Actually, bowler from the Muvattupuzha district of Kerala says he’s a touch lucky; he was contemplating a transfer this season from Kerala, frustrated over not getting enough overs in the Ranji plate matches. “I was lucky, touchwood. I was lucky that the selectors kept faith in me and named me in the 36 probables’ camp. I had just told myself if I have to play for the country, it will have to be from Kerala only. The Irani chance came, and then the Challenger,” he recounts.

The other thing about the player is his maturity. “I think, I am mature now, I believe that to intimidate a batsman you don’t need to look frightening, I wouldn’t even mind muttering a sorry if the batsman is unlucky to get out on my ball. But I am a fierce competitor.”

He is down to earth to, looking ahead at the two ODIs. “It will be difficult, but I am up to it. Thankfully, I spent the off-season playing for my employers (Indian Airlines) on flat and placid tracks and have adjusted myself to the demands. It calls for more accuracy and variations.”

“This is the happiest day of my life,” he says, “to get a chance to play with those players who have been my idols since the day I started playing cricket— It does not matter whether you play one match or two with them. What’s important is the experience and exposure,” he says.