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Tamil Nadu’s promising left-arm off-spinner, Sai Kishore, has made headlines with a bold declaration ahead of India’s upcoming series against Bangladesh. The tour, which kicks off on September 19, includes two Test matches and three T20Is. Kishore, in a candid interview with The New Indian Express, openly expressed his desire to be included in the Indian Test squad, asserting that he is fully prepared to take on the challenge.
Sai Kishore’s bold statement
Kishore, who has been a rising star in domestic cricket and an integral part of the Gujrat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), spoke with unshakable confidence about his readiness for red-ball cricket at the international level.
“I feel like I am one of the best spinners in the country right now,” Kishore stated firmly. “I’ve never trained like this before. Even before I got into the IPL, I wasn’t preparing at this level,” he said.
The 27-year-old further elaborated on his intense pre-season preparations, which he believes have taken his game to new heights.
“Waking up at 4 a.m., training, and then bowling—I’ve never put in this many hours of work in the past four or five years,” he revealed.
Kishore noted that the IPL’s focus on recovery limits intense training, but he fully utilized a 15-20 day break after the TNPL to maximize his preparation.
“The IPL doesn’t give you the time to train this hard because you’re always focused on recovery. But after the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), I had a 15-20 day break, and I used it in the best way possible,” he added.
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Kishore asserts readiness to BCCI selectors
With the Indian Test squad already boasting world-class spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Kishore acknowledged the stiff competition for a place in the team. However, he remains undeterred, citing his time with Jadeja in the CSK camp as a learning opportunity.
“Jadeja is there, and while I’ve been with him in CSK, we’ve never played together in the red-ball format. It would be a great learning experience to see what he does in Tests,” the left-arm bowler added.
Despite his respect for established player, Kishore is clear about his ambitions.
“Put me in a Test match, and I’m ready. I’m more confident than ever. I’m not worried about the competition; I know I can deliver,” the off-spinner said in an interview.
India’s selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, will soon be finalizing the squad for the Bangladesh series. With Kishore throwing down the gauntlet and claiming he’s at the peak of his abilities, the selectors have an exciting decision to make.
Will the talented spinner’s determination and recent hard work earn him a coveted spot in the Test team? Only time will tell as India prepares for the much-anticipated series.
