Who Is Saurabh Kumar? All About UP Spinner Who Earned Maiden India Call-Up For Ind vs SL Test Series
The 28-year-old slow left-arm orthodox spinner Saurabh Kumar hails from Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat. Apart from being a talented leg-spinner, he is very much competent with the bat too.
New Delhi: Chetan Sharma-headed selection panel on Saturday announced an 18-member squad for next month's Test series against Sri Lanka. Senior opener Rohit Sharma has been appointed as India's full-time Test captain ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. India will host the Lankan Lions for the Test series, starting from March 4.
Who is Uttar Pradesh's budding spinner Saurabh Kumar, the leggie who secured a maiden India call-up?
The 28-year-old slow left-arm orthodox spinner hails from Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat and has taken giant strides in his short first-class career thus far. Apart from being a talented leg-spinner, he is very much competent with the bat too. Last year, Saurabh was selected as a net bowler for India's Test series against England. He managed to impress the selectors with his performances in Syed Mushtaq Ali, Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy.
Twenty years ago Mr Bishan Singh Bedi spotted #SaurabhKumar at his coaching clinic in Nehru Stadium. "The lad has tremendous control on his flight," Bedi sir had said. I am so happy to see Saurabh picked in the Test squad. 7 matches for Services and 33 for UP. pic.twitter.com/5u7ZfmsDL1
— Vijay Lokapally 🇮🇳 (@vijaylokapally) February 19, 2022
A Look At Saurab's first-class career
Talking about Saurabh's first-class career, he took 196 wickets in 46 matches at an average of 24.15, which included 16 five-wicket hauls.
His best performance has been 14 wickets for 65 runs. Apart from this, he has also contributed significantly with his batting. Saurabh scored 1572 runs at an average of almost 30 with the help of two first-class centuries and eight half-centuries.
Saurabh Kumar has got a maiden India call up
— Sports Flash (@SportsFlash_1) February 19, 2022
Saurabh Kumar FC stats
Matches:46
Innings:82
Wickets:196
5w:16
10w:6#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/a7pQ0aNj3D
Last year, Saurbah was picked for the India A tour of South Africa, on the back of his stunning performances in the domestic circuit - 44 wickets at 21.09 in Ranji season (2019-20) and 19 wickets in the Duleep Trophy.
In the 2018/19 Ranji season, Saurabh took 51 wickets in 10 matches, including five five-wickets haul. In December 2018, he took 14 wickets for 65 runs in a match against Haryana. In IPL 2017, Saurabh was part of Rising Pune Supergiants and later he was acquired by Punjab Kings for IPL 2021.
Team India's Test squad Vs Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (C), Mayank Agarwal, Priyank Panchal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas, Hanuma Vihari, Gill, Rishabh Pant, KS Bharat, Ashwin (subject to fitness), Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Shami, Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Saurabh Kumar
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