'Unlucky' Nadeem eyes India A tour for change in fortune

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: When life throws obstacles on your path, greet them with a smile. That seems to be the way forward for Jharkhand spinner Shahbaz Nadeem.

When the India A squad was announced on June 29, majority of the youngsters, who made the cut were elated. For some like Basil Thampi and Ankit Bawne it was a dream come true. But it was just another day for 27-year-old Nadeem., who was selected in India A’s squad for four-day matches for the South Africa tour. After all he is not alien to such tours.  His India representation has always come with suffixes ‘U-19’ and ‘A’ attached to it. 

“I won’t say I’m disappointed (on not being picked for India). I have been bowling well for quite some time now. So I am just waiting for that one opportunity, for that I have to keep bowling well, perform in every match,” Nadeem told Wah Cricket on the side-lines of his preparations for the ‘A’ tour.

While every match might be an exaggeration but Nadeem has been on the mark on most occasions. For someone, who is known for his economical spells for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, Nadeem has staggering numbers in the last two Ranji seasons. His tally of 51 wickets in 2015-16 season and 56 wickets in the last season makes him the highest wicket taker by some distance. But when asked about his Ranji and IPL feats, the Jharkhand spearhead quietly sends a reminder about his other performances as well.

“Well not only in Ranji or IPL but in Vijay Hazare too. I’m the highest wicket taker among spinners.” 

The soft spoken left-arm spinner resorts to a chuckle when asked what else does he needs to do to get into the Indian side. 

“What else? I don’t know actually… Just need to keep performing. To play for the country you need performance and a slice of luck. At the moment the luck is not favouring me and then again I’m fighting for that one spot,” added Nadeem, his otherwise warm tone sounds a little coarse while uttering the last sentence.

Indeed his fight is for that one spot of specialist spinner. And in that fight he has ended up on the wrong side to the likes of Jayant Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, who came in the frame much later but have surged ahead and gone on to represent India in different formats. Nadeem, however is wary of that and uses the competition to motivate himself.

“All of them are very good and we all are here to compete. There will always be competition not only for an India berth but everywhere. I have faced competition from my U-15 days.”  

But all that may change quickly with a strong performance in the South Africa tour and Nadeem wants to keep no stones unturned for that.  At a time when very little cricket happens in India, Nadeem has chosen to represent Nelson in the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association’s first division league.

“I’m pretty confident of getting a call-up if I do well in South Africa. That’s why I’ve started my preparations one month early. I chose to come and play in Chennai as there is not much cricket going around. Besides, I have been to South Africa with the A team before, so will look to cash in on that experience.” Nadeem added.