Bengal pacer Ashoke Dinda is having a great time in India’s premier first-class tournament, Ranji Trophy. Among the fast bowler, Dinda is currently placed at the pinnacle with 33 scalps to his name in Ranji Trophy 2017-18.
The 33-year-old Dinda has evolved with time and played a key role in Bengal's progress to the Ranji semi-finals.
“In the last five years, I've been trying to keep it up and generate swing. Earlier it was back of the length, so the batsmen would always be on the back foot. Now I bowl fuller looking to get out-swing. That's why there is a difference,” Dinda was quoted by PTI as saying.
“I have worked hard (to bring this change). My coach Atal Dev Burman said if you want to take wickets, you have to bowl fuller. Slowly I started learning. All the Bengal coaches, including Paras Mhambrey and W.V. Raman, have helped me.
“In the last five-six years, I've got more than 30 wickets every season. In the past I bowled with a lot of enthusiasm, now I apply my mind as well,” he added.
Despite picking up eight 5-wicket haul in the last 14 first-class matches and three 5-fer in this year’s Ranji Trophy, Dinda couldn’t quite make it to the national team, which will tour South Africa for a three-match Test series later this year. However, the speedster doesn’t seem to be disheartened by the selector’s decision.
“In the last 14 matches, I've got eight five-wicket hauls. I'm not thinking why am I not getting selected in the Test team. It's not in my hands,” commented Dinda.
On being asked about his partnership with India pacer Mohammad Shami, who has played a number of matches for Bengal earlier this season, Dinda said: “Whenever Shami plays for Bengal, my workload becomes less as we share wickets.”
Dinda, who has represented India in 13 ODIs and 9 T20Is, said that he enjoyed mentoring young pacers.
“I tell them how to bowl in different situations, how to bowl together, what lines and lengths to bowl to each batsman, how to hold the ball when it is reversing. I try to pass on whatever I know,” concluded Dinda.
