Eyebrows were raised when the name of a certain Arzan Nagwaswalla appeared in the standby list of BCCI’s squad announcement for the all-important World Test Championship Final as well as the Test series against England. The 23-year-old has been in the limelight recently and went on to reveal in a chat with BCCI that is entire journey from group cricket to first-class and List A Cricket flashed before his eyes when he heard the squad announcement.
Though he’s yet to make his IPL debut, Nagwaswalla picked up 62 first-class wickets in just 16 games. He mentioned that he’s excited to meet the players in the squad who he has only watched on the television so far.
“I am excited to meet and see all the cricketers jinko abhee tak bass TV par India ke liye achha karte hue dekhaa hai (whom I have seen doing well for India, so far on the television only). They have secured some big wins against Australia and England recently. So, I am looking forward to learning as much as I can from all of them,” Arzan told the BCCI.
“I am very excited to meet this team. Despite the injuries, we went on to win the series in Australia. I just can’t wait to witness the team which has such a strong self-belief. Under Bharat Arun sir, our fast bowling has seen a great transformation. We have a superb bench strength. I am sure I will get to learn a lot from Bharat Arun sir,” he added.
Nagwaswalla also went on to reveal that he massively idolizes former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan. Zaheer’s ability to swing the ball both ways has inspired Nagwaswalla.
“My bowling idol and inspiration has always been Zaheer Khan mainly because he has also been a left-arm pacer. I have grown up watching him playing for India and doing really well,” said Arzan.
Being a net bowler for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021, Arzan Nagwaswalla had an opportunity to speak with MI’s fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
“Although we have not played together in domestic cricket because Bumrah has been representing India, whenever we have practiced together (at Mumbai Indians), he has always told me to learn as much as I can from everyone be it from Zaheer Bhai or Shane Bond or from anyone. From thereon, it is up to you to decide what you want to do,” he concluded.
