Could have improved my off-spin to aim for all-rounder’s slot in Indian cricket, opines S Badrinath

Despite scoring 10,245 runs on the domestic circuit at an average of 54.49, Badrinath never really got himself a good look into the Indian Test setup, owing to the presence of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. However, he did get himself a couple of chances against South Africa, where he scored 63 runs, including a high-score of 56. Eventually, he was succeeded by a young Virat Kohli, who on the back of his proper batting technique and charismatic performances earned himself a long-standing place in the Test setup. 

Whilst believing that he did his absolute best with the bat, Badrinath rues his decision of not improving his off-spinners. The former Tamil Nadu batsman admitted that he could have aimed for the all-rounder’s slot after he worked on his spin-bowling. 

“I tried everything within my reach. The batting order was really packed with Sachin, Rahul, Laxman, Sehwag, Gambhir and Yuvraj. But one thing that I may have done was focus a bit on my bowling. I could have aimed for that allrounder’s slot because I was a pretty decent offspinner and I’d taken some wickets,” Badrinath told Hindustan Times in an exclusive chat. 

During his stint with Tamil Nadu in the first-class scene, Badrinath managed to get 226 overs under his belt, where he picked up 14 wickets, including a best of 2/19. However, apart from that, his bowling was never a sparkling factor in his long and illustrious domestic career. 

“I also didn’t have help at the time. Rather than focussing entirely on my batting, I could have fitted as an all-rounder – batting at No. 6 or 7, be a third spinning option. Batting wise, I couldn’t have done anything more. I did my best.”