‘I am very excited to meet this team’ – Arzan Nagwaswalla opens up after being named in India’s standby squad for England tour

‘I am very excited to meet this team’ – Arzan Nagwaswalla opens up after being named in India’s standby squad for England tour

Arzan Nagwaswalla

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) as well as the tour of England that follows earlier this week. There were no real surprises in the 20 man squad barring one. And it was young left-arm quick from Gujarat, Arzan Nagwaswalla.

Nagwaswalla has been one of the break-out players in the domestic circuit off late. His consistency for Gujarat saw him being named in the standby squad for India’s England tour. The 23-year-old is delighted about getting the call-up as he shares that his small yet brilliant career flashed in front of his eyes once he got the news.

“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,” Nagwaswalla told BCCI TV.

“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 adds.

“I am looking forward to learning as much as I can,” Arzan Nagwaswalla

Arzan Nagwaswalla
Arzan Nagwaswalla

Arzan Nagwaswalla shares that he is excited to rub shoulders with the cricketers he grew up watching on TV. The left-arm quick is mighty impressed by the comebacks the Indian side has pulled off lately. Nagwaswalla adds that he is looking forward to learning a lot on the tour from bowling coach Bharat Arun.

Also read: Sri Lankan cricketers Dhananjaya Lakshan and Ishan Jayaratne test positive for COVID-19

“I am excited to meet and see all the cricketers jinko abhee tak bass TV par India ke liye achha karte hue dekhaa hai (whom I have only watched on TV so far). They have secured some big wins against Australia and England recently. So, I am looking forward to learning as much as I can from all of them,” he further said.

“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 a superb bench strength. I am sure I will get to learn a lot from Bharat Arun sir.“

Nagwaswalla has already picked 62 wickets in 16 first-class matches at an average of 22.53 and strike rate of 44.6 including four four wickets in an innings and as many fifers. He shares that the grind in domestic cricket has taught him a lot over the years. Nagwaswalla adds that his time in the domestic circuit has taught him to be patient, something he deems important as one rises on the ladder.

“The grind in domestic cricket has helped me understand the importance of routine. How to practice, how to bowl during practice and how to focus on the process and keep following the same, without thinking too much about the result. If you follow the process correctly, you will surely get the desired outcome.“

“In addition to that, it is important to be patient. There is no point comparing yourself with anyone and ponder over why someone else is selected and not me,” he signed off.

Also read: Pat Cummins turns 28; wishes pour in from cricketing fraternity