'Badrinath been there, can do that'

Having faced most of the South African bowlers in the past will help Badrinath debut against the Proteas on saturday, feels Tamil Nadu coach W V Raman

Having faced most of the South African bowlers in the past will help Badrinath debut against the Proteas on saturday, feels Tamil Nadu coach W V Raman

S Badrinath celebrates his double century for Tamil Nadu against champions Mumbai earlier this season.

S Badrinath has not got anything easy. The Tamil Nadu batsman had to score tons of runs every season to break into the Indian team. It is a given that he will finally be realising his long-cherished dream of becoming an India Test player in the Nagpur Test against South Africa starting Saturday. But, it will be a baptism by fire for the middle-order batsman as he is up against the most feared pace attack in world cricket.

Coach upbeat
His Tamil Nadu coach WV Raman, however, believes it won't be a tough situation for Badrinath to handle.

Raman's confidence stems from the fact that Badrinath has faced most of the South African bowlers.

"It is of immense help if you have played a bowler earlier. Even though Badrinath will be playing his first Test, he has played most of the South African bowlers in the Indian Premier League and when he played for the India 'A' team against the South Africa 'A' side a couple of seasons ago," former India opener Raman, a stalwart of many a battle against South Africa during his playing days, told MiD DAY.

"Being familiar makes a big difference. If you have played a bowler in whatever form of the game, whether it's IPL or 'A' team game, that makes it a bit easier."

Badrinath has been a stand-out performer in the longer version of the game in domestic cricket. His state coach said Badrinath's game is ideally suited for Test cricket. "He has all the attributes u2014 attitude, temperament. The longer version of the game is his forte," said Raman.

No hurry
Badrinath was given a chance in the one-dayers before being sidelined. "In the one-dayers, he was like a yo-yo. There were others before him in the loop who were doing well. In the longer version of the game, there will be no hurry and he will be able to play himself in. And once he proves that he belongs to the top level, there is every possibility to play in the ODIs too," said Raman.

"There are some people who get it easy and there are some who don't get it easy. However hard the journey has been, however long it as been, he has not allowed his spirits to sag. This break will spur him. I am hoping he will grab his chance and he has that little bit of luck on his side which is so important."

With injuries to some of their key batsmen, India will surely need Badrinath to succeed in this Test.