Young Gujarat left-arm pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla says that former Indian pace sensation Zaheer Khan has been his bowling idol and inspiration.
BCCI recently announced the 20-member squad for the World Test Championship final and the five-Test series against England post that. Apart from the main squad, the governing body also named four reserve players for the tour.
23-year-old Arzan Nagwaswalla from Gujarat is among the standby players who were picked for the WTC final and five-Test series against England after that.
The left-arm pacer was selected on the back of his domestic performances. He picked 41 wickets at an average of 18.36 during Gujarat’s run to the Ranji Trophy semifinal in the 2019-2020 season.
Speaking on BCCI.tv Arzan Nagwaswalla revealed that Zaheer Khan is his bowling idol and inspiration as he grew up watching him playing for India.
"My bowling idol and inspiration has always been Zaheer Khan mainly because he has also been a left-arm pacer. I have grown up watching him playing for India and doing really well," Arzan Nagwaswalla told BCCI.tv.
Nagwaswalla said that although he never played with Jasprit Bumrah during his stint with Mumbai Indians the latter always told him to learn as much as he can.
"Although we have not played together in domestic cricket because Bumrah has been representing India, whenever we have practiced together (at Mumbai Indians), he has always told me to learn as much as I can from everyone, be it from Zaheer Bhai or Shane Bond or from anyone. From there on, it is up to you to decide what you want to do," he said.
Nagwaswalla said that he was speechless after picked as standby for England tour. He along with his friend cut a cake to celebrate.
"Everyone was so happy and speechless when they got to know the news.I received the call when I was on my way back home and then called up my parents to share the news. When I reached home, some of my friends were there. We cut a cake," he said.
He said that after hearing the news of getting selected his entire cricketing journey flashed before his eyes.
"In 10-15 seconds, my entire journey till now flashed before my eyes (after he was named as a standby player). When I started, I didn't even know what would be in store for me. I was not even aware where I would head to and play next if I got selected for Valsad," he said.
Azran Nagwaswalla further said that he’s very excited to meet Team India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun and witnesses self-belief in players of the team.
He lauded Bharat Arun for transforming Indian bowling and said that he would try to learn as much as he can from him.
"I am very excited to meet this team. Despite the injuries, we went on to win the series in Australia. I just can't wait to witness the team which has such a strong self-belief. Under Bharat Arun sir, our fast bowling has seen a great transformation.
“We have superb bench strength. I am sure I will get to learn a lot from Bharat Arun sir. It is really hard to digest and believe, honestly. It will take some time to think about this as a reality,” he concluded.
Team India will enter the bio-bubble on 25th May here in India to prepare for the upcoming World Test Championship final against New Zealand and Test series against England.
(ANI/ bcci.tv inputs)
