Ranji Trophy: Nidheesh says he’s relishing new role as Kerala bowling attack spearhead
In Kerala’s faltering Ranji Trophy campaign this season, the brightest spot has been the performance of 34-year-old M.D. Nidheesh. The sinewy pacer is Kerala’s leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps and has played the role of both the enforcer and the workhorse, putting on shifts when the situation demanded.
The departure of Jalaj Saxena and the non-inclusion of the injury-prone Basil Thampi saw him take over as the leader of the attack, and he is now enjoying the role which was thrust upon him.
“It was pressure at first, but to be honest, I have started enjoying this role. I know I have to take wickets when the ball is new. When the conditions are not in your favour, you stick to the basics of good line and length and curb the flow of runs, preying on the batter’s patience,” he said.
On surfaces luxuriant with grass and life, Nidheesh extracts bounce with his height and, with the whip of the wrist, makes the ball move both ways. He asked uncomfortable questions to the batters with the new ball, and the majority of his victims this season were top-order batters.
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Nidheesh also planned the dismissals of batters. The in-swing, out-swing double bluff accounted for Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. If he had help from the fielders, Nidheesh would have taken more scalps.
Instead of complaining, Nidheesh says it is a victory for him when a batter plays him behind the wicket. “I think I have scored a moral victory over the batter when he scores runs off the edges. I have worked hard on my fitness, and after last year’s final, I took only five days off. For me, bowling eight or nine overs at a stretch is normal. I have been polishing my inswinger and using it as a wicket-taking option now. The team comes first, and I will be happy if I can contribute to the team’s cause with my performance,” he said.
Published on Nov 13, 2025
