Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan believes that the Indian Premier League is a perfect platform for the players to showcase their skills and move one step closer to realising their dreams to play for their country. And, this might well aptly suit the Hyderabad Ranji left-arm medium-pacer Chama Vijendra Milind who is in the squad of the Sunrisers Hyderabad for the second consecutive season. Quite significantly, 20-year-old Milind’s confidence before the 2015 IPL edition begins should be on a high after emerging as the highest wicket-taker in the recently-concluded All-India Syed Mushtaq Ali T-20 Inter-state cricket tournament in Cuttack with 17 wickets from nine games at an economy rate of 14.58. Interestingly, the third highest-wicket wicket-taker also happened to be another Hyderabad fast bowler Ravi Kiran.
Ever since Milind has been a member of the India under-19 World Cup winning team a couple of years ago, the progress has been steady and sure. A big admirer of the Pakistani great Wasim Akram and the Aussie left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, this young cricketer — quite understandably dreaming to don the India colours one day — has been working hard on every aspect of the game too. Apparently realising that excellence only in bowling will not do, Milind has been focussing a lot on batting too in the nets and has quite a few handy knocks for Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy too.
Clearly, from being one of those boys called to bowl at the Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen during their training session when he scalped the prized wicket of the big-hitting Yusuf Pathan to being a member of the Sunrisers, this young talent has come a long way. Importantly, Milind is keen on improving his game and that according to Hyderabad coach Abdul Azeem is a huge plus. “It is always imperative for anyone to keep learning. I liked this attitude in this young fast bowler and he is uncomplaining even if given the extra load with the ball,” he points out.
The fact that this Hyderabadi has emerged as the star performer with the ball in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is perhaps a reminder that he is on the right road to bigger feats at higher levels. And, bowling in the Sunrisers nets along with the likes of Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar should only help this young talent’s cause to realise his ultimate dream of playing for India.
