There is a sense of earnestness about him that mirrors both pragmatism as well as clarity of thought. An uncomplicated approach to life and sport is what works best for Tamil Nadu cricketer R. Aushik Srinivas. With 27 scalps from seven matches in the first phase of the TNCA first division league, Aushik is the leading wicket-taker in the season thus far. Born and bred in Coimbatore, the genial Aushik's romance with cricket began at the age of seven.
Early start
“I remember watching players practising at the school nets as a little boy. That got me instantly hooked to the game. My parents then felt I would be better off joining a cricket academy than smashing window panes in the neighbourhood,” he smiles. The 18-year-old Aushik started off as a left-arm medium pacer before metamorphosing into a spinner. “My coaches felt that I was better suited for left-arm spin. By the age of 12, the transformation was complete,” says Aushik who plays for Falcon in the TNCA first division league.
He has an interesting take on the difficulties of such a transition. “As I was young, it wasn't very difficult. In fact, starting off as a seamer ensured that my shoulder gained strength.” Aushik was exposed to the rigours of leadership at an early stage; he captained the under-13 district side for four years before going on to lead the under-15 team. “Frankly, I didn't know much about leadership when I started off but eventually I picked up a few things. Most of all, I learnt how to set fields for my own bowling”, says the alumnus of Shri Nehru Vidyalaya.
Thanks to some consistent performances, he soon broke into the State team during the 2009-10 domestic season. His Ranji Trophy debut against Railways was a learning curve. “I was very excited to be picked. (W.V.) Raman sir and Dinesh Karthik were extremely helfpful ahead of my first match.” Aushik also got to meet his meet one of his favourite players and fellow member of the left-arm spin tribe – Murali Kartik. “He gave me valuable tips on the ingredients of good spin bowling. It felt so good talking to him.”
Moment in the sun
The youngster's moment of reckoning, however, came in the game against Mumbai. A breathtaking seven-wicket haul against Mumbai saw him account for the likes of Wasim Jaffer, Ajinkya Rahane, and Abhishek Nayar. The dream spell not only fetched him plenty of encomiums but also a pat on the back from Sachin Tendulkar. “Raman sir and the match-referee took me along to meet Sachin and he signed the match ball. Sachin said, ‘Well done, keep working'. I just froze in awe,” recalls the second year student of Engineering (IT), SRM College. The ball, duly framed, is a now a treasured souvenir in the Aushik household!
A spinner moulded on the virtues of flight and turn, Aushik admits he didn't perform well last season. “I have learnt to accept that failure is inevitable at some point. But it helped me understand what I needed to do to become successful.” While discussing his career, Aushik acknowledges the support of his parents and teachers. “I did well in academics and my parents and teachers never dissuaded me from pursuing cricket.”
Quiz him on how he handles stress and his reply is instant: “Sleeping”. Aushik says that he does miss a “normal college life” but adds that the feeling is only momentary. “I have a close set of friends. They have always stood by me.”
Aushik strikes a realistic note when asked about his cricketing goals. “I don't believe in setting goals. It doesn't work for me. The desire to play for India is obviously there but to achieve that, I need to work hard now. Mere dreaming will get me nowhere”.
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