He has been in the reckoning since his stupendous performance for Pune Warriors in the last IPL and leg-spinner Rahul Sharma says it is a “dream come true” to find a place in India’s ODI squad for the first two matches against England.
“It is like dream come true for me. It is a reward of my hard work and good performances in IPL and also in domestic cricket over the years,” the lanky spinner told reporters.
The 24-year-old Sharma shot into prominence getting 16 wickets with a miserly economy rate of 5.46 runs, which was the best among bowlers, who had played more than five matches. Also that he has fought with career threatening facial nerve disorder problem was another thing that made him stand out.
The Punjab lad is touch sad with the fact that he won’t be able to bowl in tandem with his senior statemate.
“It is an irony that I walk in the team as Bhajji goes out. I wanted to play with him and bowl in tandem with him,” he said.
He then spoke about Harbhajan’s influence on his career. “I hail from Jalandhar in Punjab and Bhajji has been great help for me. I see this opportunity as a new challenge and I wish to give my hundred per cent because that’s what matters the most,” he said.
Sharma feels that a good show against England will enhance his chances of making it to the national team that will tour Down Under at the end of this year.
“I too had to struggle like all others to reach this point and was also had to recover from back injury (he missed the Emerging Tour). The Indian team leaves for Australia in near future and I want to consolidate my position with some good performances,” the youngster said.
