Himanshu Singh Gains Confidence from Bowling Against Kohli and Sharma in Chennai Nets

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Young Mumbai off-spinner Himanshu Singh has gained confidence from bowling against star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during pre-season net sessions in Chennai. This experience is now evident in his performances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

Himanshu was a net bowler during India's six-day camp in Chennai before their two-Test series against Bangladesh, which has positively impacted his domestic cricket efforts.

In his third First-Class match against Odisha, the 21-year-old showcased his skills with impressive figures of 3/53 and 4/77, helping Mumbai secure an innings and 103-run victory.

"I first went to Chennai, and then I played in the Ranji Trophy. Bowling there against big players gave me a lot of confidence," Himanshu shared with the media. He learned much by observing how top players prepared and even spoke with them, enjoying the six-day experience.

Himanshu relished bowling to Dhruv Jurel on mostly flat wickets, finding the contest enjoyable. When asked about bowling to India's batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, he said, "I bowled at them and beat both of them, but beating Virat bhai was more satisfying." He also discussed preparations with Ravindra Jadeja, gaining insights into off-spin bowling.

Learning from Legends

Himanshu has been inspired by veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Australian counterpart Nathan Lyon. "I only follow two bowlers worldwide, Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin," he stated. His understanding of off-spin in both white and red-ball cricket comes from watching these two bowlers.

Standing at 6'4", Himanshu's bowling action resembles Ashwin's, but he acknowledges the long journey ahead. "It was only my third match. I have a long way to go," he remarked. Despite comparisons to Ashwin, he feels no pressure and enjoys bowling, knowing there's still much time to develop further.

The opportunity to play for Mumbai came when Tanush Kotian was selected for the India A tour to Australia. Kotian's consistent performances with both bat and ball earned him this chance. Himanshu recognises the challenge ahead but remains focused on self-improvement rather than competition with others.

"My only competition is with me," he said confidently. His height provides an advantage by offering bounce on red-soil wickets, though variations occur on black soil. Initially focusing on batting due to his shorter stature as a child, coaches encouraged him to concentrate on bowling as his height increased after the 10th class.

Improving Batting Skills

Himanshu understands the need to enhance his batting skills since Indian spinners have been proficient batsmen over the past decade. "I have a lot of improvement to make batting-wise," he admitted. Despite scoring 59 in a recent match against Tripura, he felt it wasn't sufficient.

Learning from Tanush Kotian's contributions to Mumbai's Ranji Trophy victory, Himanshu aims to fulfil his role with the bat as well. He appreciates Kotian's consistent performances over many years and hopes to emulate his success while contributing effectively to the team.

Himanshu Singh's journey reflects dedication and learning from experiences with top players. His growth as an off-spinner is evident through his performances in domestic cricket, driven by insights gained from seasoned professionals like Ashwin and Lyon. As he continues developing both bowling and batting skills, Himanshu remains focused on self-improvement while drawing inspiration from those around him.