S Badrinath (c) said T20 has resulted in positive mindsets and has made players more result-oriented © AFP
By CricketCountry Staff
Chennai: Dec 22, 2011
Subramaniam Badrinath, who his playing 100th first-class game, revealed he wants to be part of a Ranji Trophy-winning Tamil Nadu side as well as become a successful Test cricketer.
“There are a couple of things that I’d like to add to my career. Cementing my spot in the Indian team is obviously my first priority. Also, I want to be part of a Ranji Trophy-winning Tamil Nadu side. These are the long-term goals that I’ve always wanted to achieve and everything I do on the cricket field in every game I play is, and will be, directed towards these two goals,” Badrinath said in an interview to bcci.tv.
The 31-year-old said batting long has been his strength.
"Since my formative days, batting long has been my strength. I was also brought up that way with my dad and coaches insisting that I bat for long periods. My idols are Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid – guys who love to play long innings.”
Badrinath admits the game has changed significantly since he started playing a decade ago.
“Yes, I think cricket has come leaps and bounds since then. The most significant change has been the advent of Twenty20. It has resulted in positive mindsets and has made players more result-oriented. It has brought in an aggressive intent into the game and I really appreciate it.”
The Chennai Super Kings batsman feels IPL has changed him as a player.
“IPL has transformed me as a player. If you compare the way I batted when I started out with my batting now, there’s a lot of difference. It has given me the belief that even I can play big shots and aggressive cricket and if I can do it in T20s, why not in the longer format?”
Badrinath feels, given his consistency over the years he could’ve done a little better to hold on to his place in the Indian team spot.
“To an extent, yes. In the seven ODIs I’ve played so far, at times I came in to bat with not too many overs left; I didn’t bat at all in one game. But I do believe I could’ve done better on the [2011] West Indies tour. However, I don’t want to be too harsh on myself saying that I missed out on a lot.”
