Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Sporting Buzz
-
Who Won Yesterday's IPL Match 41? SRH vs RCB, IPL 2024 on April 25: Royal Challengers Bangalore End Losing Streak -
Pakistan vs New Zealand: Ben Sears, William O'Rourke Star In NZ Win in 4th T20I; Kiwis Take 2-1 Lead -
Dominant Gauff double bagels Rus at Madrid Open -
IPL 2024: RCB Secure Win In 250th IPL Match - Season-Wise Performance, Top Performers Over The Years -
IPL 2024: SRH vs RCB Award Winners, Man of The Match, Post-Match Presentation, Scorecard & Records -
SRH vs RCB IPL 2024 Highlights: Rajat Patidar, spinners help Royal Challengers break six-match losing streak; Sunrisers suffer third loss in 8 games -
IPL Points Table 2024 After Today's Match, SRH vs RCB On April 25: Check Indian Super League Standings And Results -
Nadal cruises past teen Blanch to tee up De Minaur rematch in Madrid -
SRH vs RCB: 'Statpadder' Virat Kohli faces Fans Wrath after 118.3 Strike Rate -
Osaka eliminated by Samsonova in Madrid Open
Bengaluru, January 31: The name of K M Asif came up for bidding on the second morning of the IPL auction last weekend. To be precise, he was the 266th player to go under the hammer.
K M Asif? Who? Let's move on to the next name. But then Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming sprang a little surprise by raising the paddle and after a short exchange with Mumbai Indians, CSK acquired Asif for Rs 40 lakh.
So, why Chennai was particularly interested in this Kerala pacer? He has not played a Ranji Trophy yet for his state and all he has to show is five wickets from two matches in the Syed Muhstaq Ali Trophy and the reputation as someone who can bowl over 145 kmph.
It was that ability to bowl fast naturally impressed Jeff Thomson, the Australian pace legend who knows a thing or two about bowling quick.
"The boy is a natural. He can hit high speed quite effortlessly and I noticed him a couple of years ago during a clinic (organised by Kerala Cricket Association). If he gets proper training and maintain his workload then the boy can be a good asset to any team. He has got control over the ball," said Thomson from Perth.
But his journey to CSK and IPL has been nothing short of dramatic. Hailing from Edavanna, Malappuram, Asif preferred football just like any other youngster from this soccer mad district of Northern Kerala.
The twist in the tale came in the shape of a chat with some of his friends, who are into cricket, and Surendran, who is native of Asif's home town and a teacher at the GV Raja Sports School.
"I used to play tennis ball cricket for fun as football was main sport till 10th standard. I began to love the game more as I began to play it more. The talks with my friends and Surendran sir prompted me to appear for selection at Raja School and the selection to the team changed my journey," he said.
The involvement of Biju George, a highly respected coach who has been with India U19, Kolkata Knight Riders and India women's team, and Sanju Samson further hastened Asif's progress as a fast bowler. In fact, Biju gave him an opportunity to bowl at the KKR nets in Bengaluru last season.
"They told me to concentrate on bowling faster as I have the natural ability to bowl fast. Of course, I have added a couple of more yards of pace after started training with Biju sir.
"Sanju also helped me a lot because as someone who has already played in the IPL for various teams, he introduced me to the talent scouts of a couple of franchises and then came the chance to bowl for Kerala in the Syed Muhstaq Ali Trophy last month. Now, this chance to play in the IPL for a great team like Chennai Super Kings. I hope to progress in the right curve," he added.
