Pulling a fast one with slower balls

Sandeep Sharma is a prankster in the dressing room and a match winner on field

Being the original prankster in the dressing room,Sandeep Sharma does not find it hard to make friends. With a lewd joke or two,Sharma breaks the ice with the India under-19 newcomers,and also diffuses tension easily during a pressure situation. Apart from his charming and vibrant personality,the boy from Patiala is also the badmaash of this squad never shy of playing a trick or two on his teammates and support staff.

It makes him a jovial,fun-to-be-with character. But as Sharma revealed some of his latest tricks on the cricket field,the Sri Lankans were not amused.

This is what unfolded on four separate occasions. A sturdy,horse-like gallop towards the crease led to a lovely high-arm,side-on jump. But mid-air,the arm would turn limp and turn over,resulting in an immaculately delivered slower ball,leading to shattered stumps and the resultant dismissal of a Sri Lankan batsman. While the look on their faces disclosed their utter disbelief,Sharma did what he does best crack a funny one to celebrate each of his scalps during his spell of 4/38 at the ACA-VDCA Stadium.

Awesome foursome

I have four different slower ones. One is an off-cutter,the other a leg-cutter. The third is a genuine leg-spinner, he says,gloating innocently. But what about the fourth slower ball? Woh toh mujhe bhi pata nahi hai kaise nikalta hai; Ill ask my coach Bharat Arun,and let you know, Sharma replies,chuckling away at his sense of humour.

Bharat sir,our coach in the under-19 side,is also my fast bowling coach at NCA. He is my inspiration and taught me how to deliver a good slower ball, the 18-year-old says,before adding,The humour,though,is all mine.

His presence of mind is borderline stand-up,and his sleight-of-hand catches even the most aware of the lot on the wrong foot. Its the best way to be, says Sharma,while constantly targeting his next prank victim of the day.

When I joined the squad as the youngest member during the under-19 World Cup in New Zealand,I was very shy,and couldnt express myself. Now that Ive become a senior in the side,I take it upon myself to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible. And that happens by making a joke of everyones weak points,including mine.

Seniority perks

Story continues below this ad

Being a senior in this side also has its perks,a role that ensures that Sharma is constantly consulted before the team management makes a decision. During team meetings and on-field field placements,the captain and my coaches ask me for my opinion. I give it to them in the most serious way,but sometimes they cant tell whether Ive pulled another prank or not. So they usually ask me twice, he adds.

The fast bowlers effervescence came in handy in the tense dressing room during the thriller against Sri Lanka on Thursday,when India won by the narrowest of margins 1-wicket. The lad known as Sandy was the last man out,for a tedious 15-ball 1.

I dont know why the rest of my teammates were feeling the pressure as I walked out to bat. I tried telling them,Bhaiya,mein karne ja raha hoon,aap nahi. But to be honest,I didnt get tensed at all in the middle. Its a different thing that I got out without scoring much,but zero pressure, claims Sharma. The only time I ever felt pressure while playing for the under-19 side was against Pakistan during the New Zealand World Cup. Nothing has ever oscillated like that in my life,not even a pendulum. Since then for me,Pakistan nahi hai,toh pressure nahi hai.

While the chatterbox will be eligible to play in the next Junior World Cup in 2012,Sharma knows that once he graduates from this side,he will need to make some serious headway into his state side,Punjab. I havent made my debut yet,but this year I really think that I will be able to breakthrough. With performances such as the one against Sri Lanka,I will only improve my chances of playing for Punjab. But I must get myself some more wickets to make a big impact. Or he could just turn on the charm offensive,the Sandeep Sharma way.