Perfect New Year gift for MP seamer Ishwar Pandey
2 Jan 2014 4:48 AM IST
It was former leggie Narendra Hirwani who donned the Test cap for the last time from MP, while former left-hander Amay Khurasia was the last international cricketer to play ODI in 2001. Coming from a humble middle class family in small town Rewa, the 24-year-old has been named in both Test and ODI squads for India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand starting 19 January.
‘No doubt it’s a big news for my state. The time has come for me finally. I’ve been working hard for this moment and it has come. But it’s not time to celebrate as yet, I would have more challenges ahead. I have to keep working hard and remain focussed,’ Pandey said. Pandey’s main weapon is outswinger, an art which was honed by South Africa great Allan Donald in his month-long stint with IPL franchise Pune Warriors in 2013. ‘I always like to bowl outswings but it was during my stint in Pune Warriors, I improved on it. He (Donald) really worked on my outswingers. I’m really thankful to him,’ said Pandey.
He also credited legendary Aussie duo of Dennis Lillee and Glenn McGrath for bringing out the best in him at the MRF Pace Foundation. ‘I learnt a lot from them, it was really a dream for me to bowl under the tutelage of McGrath, whom I consider my bowling idol along with Kapil Dev,’ Pandey said.
‘No doubt it’s a big news for my state. The time has come for me finally. I’ve been working hard for this moment and it has come. But it’s not time to celebrate as yet, I would have more challenges ahead. I have to keep working hard and remain focussed,’ Pandey said. Pandey’s main weapon is outswinger, an art which was honed by South Africa great Allan Donald in his month-long stint with IPL franchise Pune Warriors in 2013. ‘I always like to bowl outswings but it was during my stint in Pune Warriors, I improved on it. He (Donald) really worked on my outswingers. I’m really thankful to him,’ said Pandey.
He also credited legendary Aussie duo of Dennis Lillee and Glenn McGrath for bringing out the best in him at the MRF Pace Foundation. ‘I learnt a lot from them, it was really a dream for me to bowl under the tutelage of McGrath, whom I consider my bowling idol along with Kapil Dev,’ Pandey said.
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