Published: Nov 28, 2016, 03:49 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 28, 2016, 03:49 PM (IST)
Virat Kohli and Adil Rashid both began their cricket careers almost around the same time but the former went on to become the star player and the latter took time to settle down. Kohli came across Rashid back in 2006 in a Youth Test series between India Under-19 and England Under-19. Rashid picked 14 wickets and scored 225 runs in that series. His best spell in that series came in the second match, where he grabbed 8 wickets in an innings. He was undoubtedly part of England‘s plans for the Under-19 side for 2007-08 Under-19 World Cup but a stress fracture perhaps ruled him out from the tournament. Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs England 3rd Test at Mohali
Further, he continued playing domestic cricket and in 2009, finally got the international call. After 10 years, Rashid completed the circle by playing against India in the ongoing series against the same star player. So far, Rashid has got 17 wickets in the ongoing Test series, which is the most wicket by any bowler. He has surely made his special mark in India. Looking at his bowling performance, captain Kohli praised him and recalled his initial confrontation with Rashid. “He (Rashid) was so good in the U-19 World Cup that we thought he would be playing in the 2009 Ashes,” Kohli told Times of India. Kohli perhaps wanted to refer to that youth series, but mistakenly said about the World Cup, which Rashid never played.
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Closest to Rashid is only Ashwin in terms of taking wickets in the series with 12 wickets. The best part about Rashid is his variations which have often troubled the Indian batsmen, who have found it difficult to pick his wrong-un. Talking about what has worked in his favour so far, Rashid said, “Sometimes you get a bit of luck as well but hard work in the nets (is the key). I have worked on a few technical things as well as the fields I would like to bowl to.”
For every leggie, it takes time to nurture and as per Rashid, his captain Alastair Cook has played a key role in his growth. “Cookie (Alastair Cook) has helped me chart out certain plans for certain players and we have looked to really nail it. We knew we might not get rewards straightaway, but if we stick to our plans then we will definitely get due rewards. And that’s what has happened,” Rashid added.
In previous two Test series between India and England, spinners played a major role in England’s victory. In 2012, it was the spin combo of Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann which made the series win possible for the visitors. In 2014, it was Moeen Ali‘s off spin which troubled Indian batsmen a lot. Can Rashid, along with Moeen, do what Panesar and Swann did in 2012? Well, it is a tough call but Rashid surely has that potential.
