Basil Thampi credits Glenn McGrath for his India T20 call-up
Basil Thampi, who got his maiden Team India call-up, has thanked Glenn McGrath for helping him improve his bowling at the MRF Pace Foundation. The Indian selectors had picked Thampi for the T20I against Sri Lanka and the player revealed that he wants to bowl while MS Dhoni is keeping.
The Indian selectors decided to give Virat Kohli rest for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka and in his absence, Rohit Sharma will perform the skipper’s role. Along with that, the board also announced the squad for the three T20I matches and for that they picked three new faces - Tamil Nadu all-rounder Washington Sundar, Baroda batsman Deepak Hooda, and Kerala quick Thampi.
Thampi, who polished his skills in the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, credited foundation coach McGrath for mentoring him, especially on the need to keep bowling with pace.
"He (McGrath) advised me not to lose pace while bowling and I have kept that in mind. I have also gained a lot by interacting with him and Senthil Sir (M Senthilnathan, head coach the Pace Foundation). They have motivated me a lot and given me a lot of confidence," Thampi told PTI from Surat.
Thampi was Gujarat Lions' second-highest wicket-taker in the IPL and later made the India A sides for the tour of South Africa and the home series against New Zealand A. The 24-year-old, who was in the radar of the selectors, also seemed to be surprised about his inclusion news.
"I am feeling very proud and happy. But, I was surprised to learn from KCA secretary Jayesh George that I had been selected for the Indian team. It is a great moment as it has always been my dream to don the national
The right-arm pacer is currently playing in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals against Vidarbha for Kerala and is eager to help his state team reach in the semifinals of the tournament for the first time ever.
"In the past one year, I have become a more confident bowler and I'm hopeful of doing well for India against Sri Lanka," said Thampi.
In the cash-rich IPL, Thampi impressed with his yorkers while playing for Gujarat which helped him claim 11 wickets in 12 games.
"The IPL this year was a turning point in my career, especially the match against Mumbai Indians. In my last two overs, I bowled something like 10 yorkers to batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard. This got me noticed," he said.
In the IPL, he got the chance to play with and against senior Indian and international players but the Kerala lad is eager to share the dressing room with the former Indian skipper MS Dhoni.
"I want to bowl and MS Dhoni to keep. It has been a long-time dream of mine," he added.
The performance in the IPL gave him the confidence to bowl well against different opposition which is clearly seemed in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
Former India pacer Tinu Yohannan, who is bowling coach for Kerala currently, said it is "a well-deserved break for Basil."
"Really proud moment for us in the Kerala team and Kerala cricket. His consistent performances from last year's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has earned him a call now," Yohannan said.
"He is in really good shape and perfectly ready for the opportunity. Thampi has been consistent in all the opportunities he has got after being the 'Emerging Player' in the IPL."
Former Australia cricketer and famous coach Dav Whatmore also heaped praise on Thampi and said he had great potential. Currently, Whatmore is coaching the Kerala team this year.
"Very happy for Basil. He's got great potential and in time I feel will play in other formats," he said. MRF Pace Foundation head coach Senthilnathan also seemed delighted and said it was a great moment for the academy as Thampi got a national call-up.
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