Leg-spinner Abhinav aims for consistency

Try telling leg-spinner M Abhinav that the grass is always greener and he would greet that unsolicited suggestion with a snigger. After serving a good 3 years of apprenticeship under Rahil Shah and Malolan Rangarajan at Vijay CC in the TNCA First Division League, Abhinav deemed it fit to branch out on his own and intensified his search for new pastures before UFCC (T Nagar) evinced interest in acquiring his services. 

“I was not getting much game-time at Vijay CC as it already had two quality spinners in Rahil and Malolan. In order to brighten my prospects, I had to move elsewhere and so I decided to join UFCC at the beginning of this season,” said Abhinav. 

It may have been a painful separation but he is at peace with the decision he made. “After playing three games for UFCC, I took 10 wickets that includes a five-for against India Pistons. Leg spin is a difficult art to master and I wanted to bowl more overs. I’m glad I’m able to do that at UFCC,” added the 22-year-old. 

Abhinav was a key component of the Tamil Nadu U-23 team that bowed out of the semi-final against Delhi recently in the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy. It must have disheartened him no end to see that his brilliant spell, where he took six wickets for 115 runs, couldn’t prevent his team from crumbling to an innings defeat. However, for someone who is accustomed to seeing the glass half full, Abhinav chose to dwell on the positives to have emerged from what was personally a satisfactory season.

“It was a deeply enriching experience as I could travel to different places such as Wayanad, Surat and Delhi. Each venue presented its own challenges and I learnt to adapt and bowl according to the conditions on offer. It also helped in having PC Prakash as our coach. He kept motivating me and offered valuable inputs that added a new dimension to my bowling,” remarked the native of Coimbatore.

The dearth of a quality wrist spinner was cited as one of the prime reasons for yet another fallow Ranji season that had Tamil Nadu returning home empty-handed. Asked if he is ready to fill the void, Abhinav says he likes living in the present and has set only short-term goals. “I’m aiming for consistency in all formats. I don’t want to be labelled as a one-format bowler. I was picked for Karaikudi Kaalai in the inaugural season of the TNPL. It was disappointing not to have played even a single game. My immediate focus is on doing well in the first division which will resume shortly,” said Abhinav.

There are no prizes for hazarding a guess on who his role model is and you could steal the name much before him revealing the identity. It is indeed that renowned blond from Victoria who left many a batsman with feet of clay and then made them crawl on a tightrope at the crease. “Shane Warne. I admire him a lot,” replied Abhinav. 

Had he been left to his devices, Abhinav would have been busy honing his headhunting skills as a menacing fast bowler. Added Abhinav, “I started off as a pacer. But later my coaches Vinod Kumar and AG Guruswamy advised me to turn to leg spin when I was 11. I’m also a competent batsman and have opened for the U-16 state team.” He clearly takes pride in highlighting the versatility he brings to the field.