Javagal Srinath

Profile
Javagal Srinath is the undoubtedly the only really Fast "Fast Bowler" in the Indian team who can bowl nearly as fast as his Windy or South African counterparts. Srinath suffered a testing introduction to Test cricket when despite impressing Allan Border no end on his debut tour to Australia, and performing creditably on the ill-fated South African tour of 1992, he was unable to find a place in the Test side, especially at home. After Kapil Dev`s retirement, he finally found his much deserved place in the side. His test record is nothing extraordinary, but taking into consideration the conditions and the slow pitches of the subcontinent he has really done quite well. He was compared to Alan Donald for sheer pace during his stint with Gloucestershire in 1995. His shoulder injury, possibly due to being overbowled led to his being rested after the India's Tour of the West Indies in 1997. This gave a chance to other youngsters like Harvinder Singh, Doda Ganesh, Mohanty and Abey Kuruvilla, but they failed to impress. His return to the Indian team was much awaited, and Indian fans are glad to see that he was regaining form in 1999. His one-day bowling record is most impressive, and only Dennis Lillee and Waqar Younis have taken 100 wickets in fewer matches. He is also a good pinch-hitter, capable of hitting a few sixes in the slog overs.

Role in Team:

Javagal Srinath is an important member of the ODI side- he has the ability to take crucial wickets and also contain the batsman. In tests, Srinath has never been a great wicket-taker in tests, though he has taken several 5 wicket hauls in the last few years.

Srinath's Milestones :-

• Srinath is 5th Bowler ever to take 200 wickets in ODIs.He is the 3rd Indian after Kapil Dev and Kumble to achieve this feat.
• Srinath has more 5 wicket hauls in ODI cricket than any other Indian cricketer.
• Srinath has been compared to bowlers like Alan Donald in terms of sheer pace.
• Srinath is also one of the Indian players to have the distinction of having played for an English county, ie Gloucestershire, as an overseas player.