RAIPUR: Budding right-arm fast-medium bowler from Chhattisgarh Sai Painkra, 20, has got a call from Mumbai Indians (MI), the most successful team in Indian Premier League history having won five times, as a net bowler after he impressed MI’s director of cricket operations and former India pace spearhead Zaheer Khan.
Even as he has not played much for Chhattisgarh in the domestic tournaments organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India except an U-19 tournament and recently held U-25 One Day tournament and getting only one match to play, his consistency with pace had attracted MI management.
“I was with the U-25 team of Chhattisgarh in Rajkot for the BCCI's domestic One Day tournament 2022 and fortunately got an opportunity to play this match, the only in the entire series. I did not know that the MI management was present at Rajkot. After watching me bowling in the match, the MI management called my video from our coach Raja Banerjee who immediately sent the video desired by the MI. After watching my bowling, the MI called me for a trial in Mumbai. I got much appreciation from Zaheer Khan who advised me to work on my Yorker,” said Painkra.
Sharing his experience, Painkra told TOI that he is leaving for Mumbai on Friday for a period of nearly two months. His average speed is 135 kmph.
“I will be with the MI team as a net bowler. It will help me groom as a bowler which will ultimately benefit Chhattisgarh. I will have an opportunity to gain from the experienced players,” he said.
Painkra basically belongs to Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh and presently pursuing his BCom final in a private college in state capital Raipur.
