Happy birthday Javagal Srinath: All about the ace pacer
Former Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath turned 49 today. One of the best cricketers of his generation, Srinath was a rare breed of a champion. He defined pace bowling in the 90s and was consistent across Tests and ODIs. He picked 315 ODI scalps besides 236 in Test cricket. Srinath led the way for the next generation. Here we look at his achievements.
Let’s celebrate your birthday, just like we celebrated each of your wickets. Happy Birthday, Sri. #HappyBirthdayJavagalSrinath pic.twitter.com/fSazUPko9a
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 31, 2018
Post retirement, Srinath became an ICC match referee. The celebrated pacer was born in Mysore on this day in 1969. He played for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy besides representing Leicestershire and Gloucestershire in County. He made his debut for India in both formats in 1991 against Australia (Tests) and Pakistan (ODIs). He has the fourth highest number of Test wickets amongst Indian pacers.
Srinath and records went hand in hand. The Karnataka pacer is the only Indian fast bowler to take 300+ wickets in ODIs. He is only the second bowler to do so for India after Anil Kumble. For India, he picked the joint-highest number of wickets, alongside Zaheer Khan, (44) in ICC World Cups. His ODI bowling average of 28.08 tells us his impact.
1992: 8️⃣ wickets
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) August 31, 2018
1996: 8️⃣ wickets
1999: 1️⃣2️⃣ wickets
2003: 1️⃣6️⃣ wickets
Happy birthday to India's joint-leading wicket-taker at the World Cup, Javagal Srinath! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/QfsMyDLEbZ
Srinath's 6/76 against South Africa in 2001, at Port Elizabeth, was a brilliant spell as India needed to show some character since they had lost the previous Test. Against Pakistan in 1999, he picked 8/86 at the Eden Gardens. Srinath ripped apart the Pakistan line-up and restricted their lead. His 6/21 against South Africa in 1996 helped India defend a low total (170).
Known as the Mysore Express, Srinath inspired many young cricketers to take up fast bowling. Both his style and pace were suited for conditions outside the subcontinent. Perhaps if India had more pacers like him, the winning ratio would have been much higher. Recently, VVS Laxman picked Srinath in his India's best Test XI of last 25 years. A true champion indeed!
