Indian pacer Siddharth Kaul while talking about his selection for the Sri Lanka tour revealed how advice by senior Punjab and India cricketer Harbhajan Singh still helps him.
With Team India is set to lock horns against New Zealand in the final of the ICC World Test Championship and then England in a five-Test series in the next few months, a specialist white-ball team will tour Sri Lanka in July and are set to play three ODIs and three T20Is.
However, with majority of the first-choice team in UK for the Test series against England which starts in August, it is expected that the second-string Indian side will tour the island nation.
Many players who have performed well in the domestic circuit are in the hope to cut the series against Sri Lanka including Punjab pacer Siddharth Kaul.
Siddharth Kaul feels he can be Virat Kohli's "lucky charm" in World Cup
In an interaction with Sportskeeda, Siddharth Kaul admitted that he wants to be in the Indian squad that will tour Sri Lanka. He added that he’s preparing himself and have performed well in the domestic circuit for Punjab.
“Definitely, I want to get into the Sri Lanka squad. Because I am preparing myself, and I am performing in domestic cricket. India A I haven’t played since 2019; they did not select me after that. But I have performed in the domestic circuit. Even in four-day cricket, I was the highest wicket-taker for Punjab,” Siddharth Kaul told Sportskeeda.
Kaul said that when earlier he represented Team India he was there because of his performances and will keep banging the door with his performances till he makes come back.
“I wasn’t in the Indian team because of anyone’s backing. I have been there because of my performances, and I am proud of that. I will keep on banging the door with my performances till it doesn’t break,” he said.
Kaul remarked that he will wait for his opportunity to come and will grab it with both hands giving his 110%.
“If it doesn’t break, it means I was destined to play only this much. But till the time I can, I will give it my all. Getting a chance or not depends on the Almighty. Some people get many chances, while some don’t get as many despite performing consistently. I am waiting for the opportunity, and (if it comes) I will grab it with both hands and give my 110%,” he said.
Kaul said that veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s advice of giving 110% on the field has helped him to perform at his best.
“My parents, coaches, and every big player who has been associated with me have told me, ‘When you give your 110% on the ground, you are something else. Keep on doing that. Harbhajan Singh told me this during 2011-12.
"He was making a comeback into the Indian team, so he had to come to play domestic cricket and captained Punjab. That’s the advice I have been following since then,” said Siddharth Kaul.
Siddharth Kaul unfazed by lack of India opportunities; determined to get better
Siddharth Kaul further said he has learned a lot from his father, brother along with his mentor Ashish Nehra.
“My father is my coach and my brother, who has kept wickets in so many matches, has told me similar things. Ashish Nehra is my mentor and I learn a lot of skills from him. When these players see you and play with you, their assessment can never be wrong,” he concluded.
Siddharth Kaul has represented Indian in 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is and has taken 4 wickets for the nation till now.
(Sportskeeda inputs)
