Who Is Saurabh Kumar - Net Bowler In 2021 Who Earned Test Call-Up Against England

The life of Saurabh Kumar, veteran of a decade in domestic cricket, took a sharp turn on Monday when he made the Indian squad for the second Test against England starting in Visakhapatnam on February 2. The 30-year-old left-arm spinner can now nourish the hope of donning a national cap after being a journeyman with the Indian squad during the series against Sri Lanka at home in 2022. Of course, there is no guarantee that the Uttar Pradesh spinner will make his debut in Visakhapatnam ahead of Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar.

But at least he has another chance to rub shoulders with lofty names of Indian cricket such as Rohit Sharma or Ravichandran Ashwin, an opportunity craved by several of his ilk.

"It has always been a dream to be a part of the Indian team. I mean which cricketer wouldn't want that? Lot of things need to come together for it, but I have had a bit of experience," says Kumar.

The "experience" that Kumar mentioned was the opportunity to be a bowler at India nets during England's tour in 2021, the starting point of his upward journey.

"Not everyday you will get a chance to bowl to a Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, especially if you are a domestic player. They hardly play in Ranji Trophy or other domestic matches because of national commitments. "So, it was a chance for me to have a closer look at them and study how they approach their game and their other routines. It was a great experience to bowl to and interact with some top-level players. There was so much to learn from them," he elaborates.

Getting drafted in as a net bowler could be taken as a recognition of his consistency in domestic cricket, but even then, Kumar had to rise above a tall blockade.

In India, a first-class cricketer's career will