The most underrated cricketer . Review on Javagal Srinath

Javagal Srinath was perhaps the most underrated cricketer. In a team of superstars, he was perhaps the only 'outsider'. Some of his highlights are mentioned below:

Full Name : Javagal Srinath

Birthday : 31/08/1969

Birth Place : Mysore

Country : India

ODI Debut : India vs Pakistan, at Sharjah, on 18/10/91

Test Debut : India v Australia at Brisbane, 1st Test, 1991/92.

He rarely or rather never used to sledge the batsmen. There were hardly any Fs and Bs from the gentleman. He played the 'Gentleman's Game' as it should have been played. Hence, some of them got a wrong idea about him being defensive. But, when he had the ball in his hands, he was anything but defensive.

Javagal Srinath was undoubtedly the only really Fast ''Fast Bowler'' in the Indian team who could bowl nearly as fast as his Windies or South African counterparts. Srinath suffered a testing introduction to Test cricket when despite impressing Allan Border no end on his debut tour to Australia, and performing creditably on the ill-fated South African tour of 1992, he was unable to find a place in the Test side, especially at home.

After Kapil Dev's retirement, he finally found his much deserved place in the side. His test record is nothing extraordinary, but taking into consideration the conditions and the slow pitches of the subcontinent he has really done quite well. He was compared to Allan Donald for sheer pace during his stint with Gloucestershire in 1995. His shoulder injury, possibly due to being overbowled led to his being rested after the India's Tour of the West Indies in 1997. This gave a chance to other youngsters like Harvinder Singh, Doda Ganesh, Mohanty and Abey Kuruvilla, but they failed to impress. His return to the Indian team was much awaited, and Indian fans were glad to see that he is regaining form in 1999. His one-day bowling record is most impressive, and only Dennis Lillee and Waqar Younis have taken 100 wickets in fewer matches. He was also a good pinch-hitter, capable of hitting a few sixes in the slog overs.

His milestones include:

Srinath was the 5th Bowler ever to take 200 wickets in ODIs. He was the 3rd Indian after Kapil Dev and Kumble to achieve this feat.

Srinath had more 5 wicket hauls in ODI cricket than any other Indian cricketer.

Srinath has been compared to bowlers like Allan Donald in terms of sheer pace.

Srinath was also one of the Indian players to have the distinction of having played for an English county, ie, Gloucestershire, as an overseas player.

Among his useful contributions in bowling (tests) include the outstanding 6/21 against SA on a spinner's track in 1996-97 which India won against everyone's expectations and ofcourse, the 8/86 against Pak (though we lost).

In one dayers, he captured his 300th wicket in the World Cup 2003. Also, who can forget his superb contribution with the bat in the Titan Cup match against Aus in 1996 when he and Kumble took India to victory against all odds.

Srinath's weak points were his stamina and his fragility under pressure. Also, he could have done much better as a batsman. He had the potential to be a good, if not great, allrounder.

A team man to the core, who can forget him bowling wides at the Pak batsmen so that his team mate Kumble could get 10 on 10? He often gave the impression that he could have done more, but by the time he was finished he had, in many ways, done enough.

I was hoping Sourav would call him again from retirement. But anyway, on the whole, I think Javagal Srinath would be (will be, rather) satisfied with his contribution to the Indian cricket team. At least I'm satisfied.

PS: I don't think India has found a fast bowler to step into Srinaths shoes, just yet.