Rajneesh Gurbani, who scalped a 12-wicket haul in Vidarbha’s nerve-wrecking 5-run victory over Karnataka in the second Ranji semi-final, rocked Delhi with a hat-trick on the second morning of the Ranji Trophy final.
Owing to Gurbani’s 6 for 59, the seven times Ranji champions Delhi managed only 295 in their first innings, despite looking good for a score of over 330.
Talking to the media after the end of second day’s play at Holkar Cricket Stadium Indore, Rajneesh said that it is just a start for him and he is working very hard on his fitness to generate more pace.
"I would like to increase the pace and will work as per the instructions of the trainer. Normally, we start training three months before the season, but this time we have started a month before. The program is like one day gym and one day endurance. I know I have to improve a lot in fitness," Gurbani was quoted by PTI as saying.
The 24-year-old pacer also revealed that he wasn’t aware of taking a hat-trick and someone from the crowd reminded him of it.
"I forgot that I was in with a chance to take a hat-trick. Having picked up the first two wickets in the fifth and sixth balls (of 101st over), when I was going to start my next over, somebody from the public reminded that I was on a hat-trick. Then I realized," Gurbani said.
"With every ball the intent was to take wicket. By God's grace I have done that. As far as the hat-trick ball was concerned, the plan was to bowl at the stumps," he elaborated.
Delighted with his overall showing this season, Gurbani said he prefers to bowl with the new ball. "I was not well yesterday so I was not able to bowl a lot. I was preparing overnight that I am able to bowl the first over today. I prefer the new ball but with this SG Test, the old ball swings a lot,” Rajneesh said.
"And whenever it starts to behave that way I tend to do well and they (batsmen) become vulnerable," he concluded.
Just a week ago, India’s ace fast bowler Umesh Yadav, who shared the new ball with Gurbani for Vidarbha this season, had said that the young speedster should play for India very soon.
“He has been bowling really well in recent times. This was his fifth five-wicket haul and in the final, he will do well I am sure. My best wishes will be with him always. I wish he becomes the second player from Vidarbha to make it to the Indian team,” Umesh Yadav had said as per IANS.
