Every cricketer or a sportsman starts off his career having a dream to represent his country someday and share the dressing room with some of the greats to have played the game.
A few days back, Arzan Nagwaswalla who plays for Gujarat moved an inch closer to his ultimate dream when the selectors picked him in the squad for the World Test Championship final and England Test series away from home.
Nagwaswalla had been named in the standby players for the fixtures that will take place in the UK.
In an exclusive chat with OneCricket, the left-arm bowler talked about the unexpected call-up, his cricketing idol and excitement to share the same space with India captain Virat Kohli.
“It feels really great. I wasn’t expecting the call-up at the moment so it’s really special. I don’t really have words to explain this feeling,” said a delighted 23-year-old.
Talking about his journey, Nagwaswalla credited his childhood coach Kiran for grooming him at a very early age and how he kept faith in him.
“My coach Kiran sir had a lot of belief in me. He used to have summer camps in my village Nargol and I used to attend those camps. So he was the one who used to send me for the trials. This way I understood the process and how it goes. He has played a very important role in my career especially during the early days.”
Arzan revealed that he wasn’t expecting a call-up at the moment but as soon as he received the news, his excitement and happiness had no boundaries.
“Honestly, it took me a couple of days to realise that I have actually got the selection call. I was travelling when I received the call and was on my way home. I called up my parents and gave them the news. It was an emotional moment for us,” tells a very emotional fast bowler.
Saurashtra, Gujarat and Baroda have been producing some impressive left-arm fast bowlers which include the likes of Jaydev Unadkat, Irfan Pathan and now Chetan Sakariya.
When quizzed about the same, Nagwaswalla said that it is a healthy competition and having players of that calibre keeps you motivated to work hard on your skills.
“Actually, I just realised when you mentioned about the left-arm fast bowlers coming from Gujarat. It’s a healthy competition and it gives you a realisation that you need to be on your toes. It helps you enhance your own skillset,” he said.
The Indian team hasn’t had a regular left-arm fast bowler for quite a few years now. Discussing a left-arm seamer in the side, Arzan described the role of the bowler of such a genre especially at the highest level of the game.
“A left-arm pacer brings a lot of benefit and balance to a line-up. If you look at the international teams, they all have at least one or two left-arm quick bowlers. A left-handed fast bowler bowls with a different angle which creates problems for the batsmen. They have a different swing. The batsmen generally get settled against a right-arm bowler as they are up against them continuously. A left-arm fast bowler is surely an advantage for any team because of the angles he bowls with,” Nagwaswalla explained.
Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan who was a part of the side that lifted the World Cup in 2011 is an inspiration to many and the Gujarat youngster is no different. Being a fast bowler himself, Nagwaswalla said that he looks up to Zak and added that he did get a chance to spend time with the legendary fast bowler when was with the Mumbai Indians side as a net bowler.
“Zaheer Khan is my cricketing idol. He is one of the best in the world. I used to watch him in my younger days and got inspired a lot. I was a net bowler with Mumbai Indians also so had a chance to interact with him quite a number of times. He used to tell me that my bowling is good but suggested that I focus on my fitness because obviously, this is a time when we have to be in bio-bubble which affects our training. So, he just suggested to me that I should stay in good shape and rhythm,” Nagwaswalla added.
Having spent time with MI, Nagwaswalla expressed his desire to be a part of the squad for the Mumbai-based franchise team. The left-handed bowler said that he has pretty good bonding with the support staff and the atmosphere within the team is pretty good.
“I have spent some time with MI side and have good bonding and relationship with them so if I get a chance, I would like to be a part of the Mumbai team in the IPL. MI have a very good atmosphere.”
New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult who is another left-arm quick is also a part of the MI setup. When asked about the learnings that he has got from the Kiwi player, Nagwaswalla said that Boult is a cheerful and inspiring figure in the side.
“I never really had an interaction with Trent Boult as such but I used to watch him in the nets. He enjoys his bowling and at times has some fun with the batsman who is in front of him like telling him that I will get your wicket. He is very cheerful and inspires the youngsters,” said the youngster.
The Gujarat player also talked about increasing the pace of his bowling and said that he has age on his side and this can help him put in that extra bit of work to improve on his speed.
“Definitely, I focus on increasing the pace. I have age by my side so I can probably work on it. I still have some 1-2 years to put in extra effort and increase my pace,” he said.
Asked about opting between pace and swing, Nagwaswalla gave a clear idea about what he thinks. The left-armer quickly replied that it all depends on the conditions.
“Look, it totally depends upon the conditions. If I’m bowling with the new ball, I would rather be focused on getting the swing because if I hit good areas then it will create problems for the batsmen. But if I’m bowling with an old ball, then I would rather put in extra pressure on myself to generate more speed and pace.
The pandemic last year put a halt on the cricketing action all around the world. Talking about the same, the left-arm bowler explained how he kept himself fit and match ready.
“The situation overall was bad but we didn’t really face much of a problem in our village. In fact, we witnessed one or two cases in the second wave so last year we didn’t have that many restrictions as compared to other areas. We could move around in the village. I used to go to the beach nearby and workout there. So, honestly, I didn’t really face much of a problem,” he added.
Despite being consistent with his bowling, Nagwaswalla hasn’t made a cut into any of the IPL teams. When asked if he is disappointed about not playing the IPL, the Gujarat seamer suggested that it’s all about time and he focuses on the present.
“No. Not at all. I’m not disappointed on not playing the IPL. I have a belief that everything comes at the right time. So, I don’t really focus on the IPL selections,” he said.
Arzan has been consistently among the wickets for his state team and emphasised that he feels good when he makes a contribution for the team.
“I don’t really remember any special spell as such but my first motive is to win the match for the team. I feel good when I contribute and do well and the team wins.”
Nagwaswalla would be sharing the dressing room with some of the finest Indian bowlers on his tour to the UK. Talking about it, the Gujarat bowler said that he hasn’t had an interaction with any of the senior members as they all are in quarantine but he is looking forward to it.
“I haven’t had any interaction with the players for now as they all are in quarantine but as soon as this gets over and we start training then I would surely talk to the senior lads.”
Arzan expressed his delight and excitement about being in the same team as Virat Kohli. He further revealed that he is both nervous as well as excited to meet the Indian captain.
“I’m so excited to share the dressing room with Virat bhai. This is the first time that I will be meeting him. I’m nervous as well as excited,” he concluded.
In 16 First-Class matches that he has played, Arzan has scalped a total of 62 wickets including four five-wicket haul and a ten-for. He has been in some fine touch at the domestic level.
Being a left-handed pacer, Arzan would be a handy customer to help the Indian batsmen prepare themselves to face bowlers like Trent Boult during the WTC final.