Orthopedic surgeons gave Aravind no chance of playing cricket ever again, says his mentor
Mumbai: Team India's new seam bowler Sreenath Aravind who has replaced Umesh Yadav for the last two ODIs' (Chennai, October 22 and Mumbai, October 25) against South Africa is an exceptional player, according to his mentor Santosh Menon.
Speaking exclusively from Bangalore, he says, "He was inducted into the Karnataka Cricket Academy though he was above nineteen years. The academy catered for below nineteen players but Aravind was as an exception based on his potential."
"Sreenath Aravind is a dedicated, focused, extremely humble lad from a very, very humble background. He took to leather ball cricket late in his career. In fact, he was from a tennis ball cricket back ground and he was almost 18 plus when he started playing active leather ball cricket.
He suffered a knee injury during the Buchi Babu tournament when he clashed with wicketkeeper KB Pawan going for a high catch. All orthopedic surgeons gave him no chance of playing cricket ever again. However, the KSCA (Karnataka State Cricket Association) physio Mr Muthu never gave up and took him to a surgeon Dr David Raja in Coimbatore and requested him to operate upon Aravind's knee. The operation had a fifty-fifty chance. Luckily, the operation was successful and with extensive rehabilitation with the assistance of Muthu and determination from Aravind, he was able to play again," says Menon, who is also the Assistant Secretary (Cricket) at KSCA.
"He has complete commitment to the game and plays every match whether state or club match with the same enthusiasm and commitment required," Menon asserted.
"Since his knee was operated, I would give strict instructions not to play club matches. However, he would go and play without my knowledge and tell his colleagues - after all sir will scold me for playing, but doesn't matter," Menon recalled.
"He always attends club practice to encourage upcoming youngsters. He is very generous when it comes to giving his time and money for development of the game. His desire is to get a first class hundred because he enjoys batting as well," Menon signed off.
