KRISHNAGIRI: It was widely expected that after his 44 wickets in the Ranji Trophy season, Kerala fast bowler
Sandeep Warrier would be picked for the India 'A' squad to face England Lions in the four-day matches. But Sandeep didn't find a place in India 'A'.
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The pacer, though, did not have to be disappointed for too long as he has been selected for the Rest of India squad which will be playing the Irani Trophy against Ranji champions Vidarbha.
Sandeep, 27, was instrumental in Kerala's maiden entry into Ranji semis as he along with
Basil Thampi formed a lethal opening fast bowling combo.
"It took seven years for me to get such an opportunity. I can't describe how happy I am at the moment," said Sandeep who has been a frontline seamer for Kerala from his first-class debut in 2012.
Sandeep has become a much better bowler this season adding an inswinger to his arsenal and getting fitter and stronger to bowl long spells without breaking down. Sandeep's qualities were noted by national chief selector MSK Prasad who was in Wayanad to watch the Ranji quarterfinal against Gujarat.
"I had expectation that I might get selected for India 'A'. But then there were so many good pacers around, I knew it may not happen also," he said.
An Engineering drop-out who pursued his passion to play cricket, Sandeep thanked his family for all his growth. "My parents and my sister, they never stood in the way of my ambitions and allowed me to dedicate myself to cricket," he said.
"Another person who helped me make it into the state team was Ram Mohan sir (former Kerala player and selector). He has always backed me through the good times and the bad times," added Sandeep.
A regular at the MRF pace foundation, Sandeep attributes a lot of his development to the learning from there under coach M
Senthilnathan
. "There are a lot of people I want to thank like coach David Whatmore,
Sachin Baby,
Tinu Yohannan and many others," he said.
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