Karnataka pacer rewarded for his consistent showing in just-concluded Ranji season.
Abhimanyu Mithun was surprised by the national call-up. “I went blank and didn’t believe him. It was only after I watched the news on TV that I knew that everything was real,” the Karnataka pacer, currently playing for South Zone in Indore, said. “I had never imagined this.”
Mithun, 20, emerged the highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy this year with 47 scalps. He followed it up with five wickets in the ongoing Duleep Trophy semifinals against South Zone. Rahul Dravid welcomed the selection. “It’s nice he’s made the team at a young age after a great season. I hope he’ll continue to grow and learn because the challenges will be greater from here on. It should be a great learning experience for him to work with the coaches and the senior player,” the former India skipper said.
Anil Kumble and GR Viswanath, also former India skipper from Karnataka, too hailed Mithun’s selection.
The young pacer caught everyone’s imagination in his first match against Uttar Pradesh in Meerut, where he picked up 11 wickets, including a hat-trick, becoming the second Karnataka player after Javagal Srinath to take a hattrick on his first class debut.
There has been no looking back for him since then. The lanky pacer showed that he was a special talent with a fiery spell on the third day of the Ranji Trophy final which almost gave the title to Karanataka. But it was not to be.
What makes Mithun’s achievement significant is the fact that he started playing serious cricket only at the age of 17. But his commitment and dedication helped him climb up the ladder of state cricket in no time.
Former South Africa coach Ray Jennings saw the potential in Mithun and decided to take him to IPL as part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team last year. Though he played just one match there, the experience he gained made him a better bowler.
The son of a gym-owner, Mithun is a fitness freak. He has made full use of his 6’2” height to cause tremors in the opposition batting. “I am really looking forward to joining the team and as such I think it’s too early to set any goal. I will try and deliver my best and take things as it comes,” said Mithun.
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