Badrinath gets his due, finally

With opening batsman Gautam Gambhir ruled out of the remaining ODI games against Australia with a groin injury...

With opening batsman Gautam Gambhir ruled out of the remaining ODI games against Australia with a groin injury, the selectors call-up to the uncapped S Badrinath in his place for the next match in Rajkot has come as a god-sent opportunity. The Tamil Nadu middle-order batsman is currently playing the Irani Trophy representing the Rest of India side.

8220;I have been on the fringes for a year now and this call-up is a big opportunity for me. I am confident of using the chance well8221; he told The Indian Express.

Gambhir slipped while batting in the nets on Sunday and sustained a right adductor groin muscle strain. Though the MRI scan did not reveal a significant injury to the region, a communication from the BCCI said that from initial findings and clinical presentation, it appears that Gambhir will be unavailable for approximately two weeks.

8220;I was knocking after the day8217;s play when the team manager said that Board secretary Niranjan Shah wanted to speak to me. I thought it could be my day and I was told that I have been included in the team for the Rajkot tie. He congratulated me and said that I have to join the team tomorrow,8221; Badrinath said.

Badri, who has had a tremendous domestic season, said he was really excited about sharing the dressing room with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly and looking forward to making his debut. Excited as he was, Badri recalled an instance when, at the batting camp, Rahul asked him where he fielded during the matches he played for Tamil Nadu. 8220;I knew I was there in the team for the sixth and seventh ODIs, but never expected to get the call for the fifth game. I am so happy that I can8217;t express it in words,8221; he said.

A batsman of high calibre, Badri normally prefers to set his eyes before playing his shots. But he also realises the urgency of quick scoring in ODIs. 8220;I can adapt myself to this format as well. If there is a need to go bang-bang I can do that and also play defensively if the situation demands,8221; said a confident Badri.

SCOREBOARD

India

S Ganguly c Gilchrist b Hopes 41

S Tendulkar run out 79

Y Singh c Ponting b Hopes 39

M Dhoni not out 50

R Dravid b Bracken 13

R Uthappa not out 30

Extras: b1, lb7, w31 39

Total 4 wkts, 50 overs 291

Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-174, 3-221, 4-244

Bowling: Lee 7-1-26-0, Bracken 10-0-78-1, Johnson 8-0-51-0, Hopes 9-0-43-2, Andrew Symonds 7-0-39-0 and Brad Hogg 9-0-46-0