India was known as the best team to produce world class spinners, until the legendary Kapil Dev proved many a detractors wrong. Following the footsteps of Kapil Dev was none other than arguably India's best fast bowler ever -- Javagal Srinath. He took charge of India's pace attack and served the nation for over a decade. Ever since his debut in 1991, Srinath went on to become second only to Kapil Dev, in terms of number of Test wickets claimed by an Indian speedster.
With a high-arm action, muscular shoulders and bowling from wide of the crease, on his given day, Srinath was lethal and had the ability to send any opposition batting line-up back into the pavilion, just like the South Africans learnt when he took 6 for 21 in Ahmedabad in 1996-97 – a spell that will be remembered as one of the best spells by a fast bowler in the fourth innings of a Test match.
Even after having been on the international arena for well over a decade, Srinath was always learning – he kept adding variations to to his game, slowly mastering the art of bowling leg-cutters and slower deliveries. A master with the cricketing ball, Srinath went on to become one of the most celebrated seamers the nation put forth in the international circuit. In his last as a cricketer, Srinath had a fulfilling World Cup campaign in 2003, although they lost to Australia in the Final. Though he bid farewell at a time, when India was churning some good pace bowlers, he will be an idol to many a young aspiring bowlers for years to come.
After his playing days, Srinath’s knowledge has been ably utilised by the MRF Pace Foundation. He has also donned the hat of ICC Match Referee, and has also been spending time doing commentary on television.
