RAJKOT: Minutes after Subramanium Badrinath was named the replacement for an injured Gautam Gambhir he turned into a star of sorts in a team that was packed with players on the fringe of national selection.
Badrinath, a rock-solid middle-order batsman from Tamil Nadu, returned to the pavilion from fielding after the third day’s play of the Irani Trophy when the news first hit him.
As the good wishes poured in Badrinath knew they won’t matter and neither would whiling away time accepting greetings or in soaking up the truth.
The 27-year-old immediately headed out to the nets and put in a decent practise session. The truth, he knows, is that this chance may not come again considering his age and the tight situation in the Indian team for the No 3 and 4 slots - the place where he usually bats for Tamil Nadu.
And he does not want to be found wanting. “Whatever role I get, I have to do my best. I have to play keeping in mind my strengths and weaknesses,” Badrinath told this paper.
Badrinath has been a late starter but he sees the situation differently. “Had I been young it would have been difficult for me to handle the experience as a rookie. With my first class experience I am more confident and I have played good cricket all over the world.”
No wonder, he is not bothered that his debut would be a baptism by fire against the formidable Aussies who still have a 2-1 lead in the home series and his next assignment is just two days away in the fifth ODI at Baroda.
He feels his knock of 160 against Kenya in Kenya, the exposure of playing Australia A in Australia in the past and his most recent double hundred against the visiting South Africa A team have given him the confidence to tackle anyone. “I am fit and thankful for this opportunity. I want to ensure that I play international cricket for a long time to come.”
Badrinath is also one of the players chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar named when he referred to players knocking on the doors of the the senior India team.
