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Javagal Srinath has been one of India's finest fast bowlers and a prominent figure in international cricket. Srinath is also a former ICC match referee. He was the first Indian fast bowler to take more than 300 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs), an achievement that made him the highest wicket-taker for India at that time. With accolades like the Arjuna Award to his credit, Srinath's contributions to Indian cricket are immense.
Growing up in Karnataka, where cricket was a popular sport, Javagal Srinath showed an interest in the game from a very young age. His father supported his love for cricket and helped him get the necessary equipment to pursue it. However, as a youngster, Srinath was not seriously considering pursuing cricket professionally; instead he focused on studies while playing cricket as a hobby.
Srinath's passion for the game surged when he started playing for his school team. He soon joined KSCA (Karnataka State Cricket Association) Colts XI and later represented Vijaya College in Bangalore University's inter-college competitions.
Srinath came into limelight during the 1989-90 Ranji Trophy season while playing for Karnataka against Hyderabad where he took eight wickets in one innings which earned him his maiden call-up into the national side against Pakistan later that year.
Srinath made his Test debut against Australia at The Gabba on November 29, 1991. Initially, he served as the third pacer in the Indian bowling attack, limiting his opportunities in home Tests. However, with experience and guidance from experienced bowlers like Kapil Dev and Manoj Prabhakar, Srinath developed variations in his bowling to adapt to different conditions.
His first five-wicket haul came against South Africa during the 1992-93 season. Srinath's consistency and ability to generate extreme pace and steep bounce from any surface soon made him an indispensable part of the Indian cricket team.
Javagal Srinath is regarded as one of India's greatest fast bowlers who played a crucial role in India's success during the 90s. He represented India in four World Cups (1992, 1996, 1999, and 2003) and was a member of the Indian team that was joint-winners of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 and runners-up in the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
In Test cricket, Srinath took 236 wickets becoming only the second Indian after Kapil Dev to achieve this milestone. His best Test performance came during the Ahmedabad Test in 1996 where he took six wickets for just 21 runs to demolish the South African batting lineup.
Srinath also had a remarkable career in ODIs taking over three hundred wickets which made him India's highest wicket-taker at that time. He took part in several memorable matches including a match against Pakistan where he picked up eight wickets for just eighty-six runs which helped India win comprehensively.
Javagal Srinath's career was marked by some incredible performances in major tournaments, especially the ICC World Cup. In the 1992 World Cup, he picked up eight wickets in four matches, including a career-best 3/34 against Zimbabwe.
Four years later, in the 1996 World Cup held in India and Pakistan, Srinath was India's leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps in just seven matches at an average of 26.72. He also had an outstanding economy rate of just 3.97 runs per over.
In the next edition of the tournament, the 1999 World Cup held in England, Srinath played a vital role for India as they reached the Super Six stage. The lanky pacer picked up nine wickets in six games with best figures of 3/37 against Sri Lanka.
Srinath continued his impressive run in ICC tournaments even after retirement from Test cricket and remained one of India's top performers with the ball in hand during important ODI tournaments. In the joint-winner Champions Trophy campaign of 2002 where India shared the trophy with Sri Lanka due to rain interruption, Srinath took six wickets at an average of under thirty.
The Indian fast bowler was also instrumental in India's run to the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup before retiring from international cricket after that tournament.
Javagal Srinath primarily played as a right-arm fast bowler for India and is widely regarded as one of India's finest pacers ever produced. He was known for generating extreme pace and steep bounce from any surface.
Srinath developed variations in his bowling to adapt to different conditions during his playing career. While he relied on his pace early on, he later added the outswinger and inswinger to his arsenal, making him a complete bowler in all conditions.
His ability to bowl fast and swing the ball, often made him a dangerous proposition for any batsman. Srinath had a high-arm action that produced a steep bounce from almost any surface. His fitness levels were also impressive as he maintained his pace and accuracy throughout his playing days.
Srinath was known for being an aggressive bowler who never shied away from bowling bouncers or yorkers. He always looked to take wickets and put pressure on the opposition.
Javagal Srinath has been known for his soft-spoken nature both on and off the field. The cricketing world has always regarded him as a true gentleman of the game.
Srinath's calm demeanour was often visible on the field where he kept his cool under pressure situations. He led by example with his work ethic, dedication, and commitment towards the team's success.
Srinath remains one of India's most respected cricketers who continues to contribute to Indian cricket through various roles such as ICC match referee and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary.
Javagal Srinath is undoubtedly one of India's all-time great cricketers, inspiring a whole generation of fast bowlers in the country. Srinath was a rare gem who possessed an unparalleled ability to generate serious pace and bounce from any surface. He was also known for his tireless work ethic and competitive spirit, which set him apart from his peers.
Srinath's impact on Indian cricket cannot be overstated. His performances in the 1996 World Cup, where he took 15 wickets in seven matches, helped India reach the semi-finals of the tournament. His exploits in the 2003 World Cup were also impressive, as he picked up nine wickets in eight matches to help India finish runners-up.
The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have cited him as their inspiration growing up, while other fast bowlers like Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav have modelled their bowling actions on him.
Javagal Srinath received several awards throughout his illustrious career, including the Arjuna Award in 1999 for his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket.
Srinath was also appointed as a match referee by the International Cricket Council (ICC), where he refereed numerous high-profile matches between 2006 and 2020.
In addition to these accolades, Srinath also served as the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary between 2010 and 2013. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to promote young cricketers from Karnataka at all levels of the game.
Javagal Srinath will always be remembered as one of India's greatest fast bowlers. His ability to generate extreme pace and bounce from any surface made him a formidable force for opposition batsmen to deal with. Srinath's tireless work ethic, competitive spirit, and unwavering determination set the standard for future Indian cricket teams.
Despite battling numerous injuries throughout his career, Srinath remained a crucial part of the Indian pace bowling attack. His performances in the 1996 and 2003 World Cups will always remain etched in the memories of Indian cricket fans around the world.
FAQs
What is Javagal Srinath profession now?
Javagal Srinath is currently working as an ICC match referee.
When did Javagal Srinath retire?
Javagal Srinath retired at the age of 33 in 2003.
What are Javagal Srinath's stats?
Javagal Srinath took 236 wickets in Test cricket and 315 wickets in ODIs. He is considered one of India's finest ever fast bowlers.
How many wickets had Javagal Srinath taken in ODIs?
Javagal Srinath has taken 315 wickets.
Did Javagal Srinath score a century in his career?
No, Javagal Srinath did not score a century in his international career as he was primarily a fast bowler and batted lower down the order.
