Javagal Srinath: crucial to the Indian fast bowling story
Opening the bowling alongside Kapil Dev, in his all-time India XI, would be Zaheer Khan, says Siddhartha Vaidyanathan in his blog
Nikita Bastian
25-Feb-2013
Opening the bowling alongside Kapil Dev, in his all-time India XI, would be Zaheer Khan, says Siddhartha Vaidyanathan in his blog. In between the two, he says, stood a bridge that connected them - Javagal Srinath.
When I think of Javagal Srinath, I think of ’97. India v Sri Lanka in Mumbai. Final Test. India pushing for a win, trying to wrap up the Sri Lankan first innings when Srinath ran in and smashed the wicketkeeper Lanka de Silva in the face. The bouncer sneaking through the helmet grille, pummeling his left cheek and sending him to the hospital where he would need ten stitches. That was the first time I saw an Indian bowler do anything remotely violent. I felt bad for Lanka de Silva but I was perversely thrilled. An Indian fast bowler was smelling blood. Srinath probably apologised. I didn’t notice. But there was reason to hope.
Nikita Bastian is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo