Javagal Srinath: One in a billion

[express bowling]

I remember some commentators in the 90 saying this about Srinath - Srinath was fast through the air' date=' but his deliveries usually lost pace upon hitting the deck, compared to express pace bowlers of his era.[/quote'] Actually the other way round. Even 135 k deliveries from Srinath took off after hitting the deck. Lots of bounce and zip off the deck. That is one of the biggest ressons why Srinath was too short during the first half of his career. Because the deliveries looked spectacular when they thuded into the keeper's gloves. But did not produce enough edges and he did not take enough wickets at the beginning of his career. You are absolutely right about his body language. One of the worst body languages I have ever seen. He once apologized to Ponting after bowling a bouncer.

[AmreekanDesi]

didn't see a lot of him before 2000 as was too young so have a question: Was he very injury prone akin to lets say Akhtar or Yadav these days. Only played 67 tests!!!!

[Marut]

Actually the other way round. Even 135 k deliveries from Srinath took off after hitting the deck. Lots of bounce and zip off the deck. That is one of the biggest ressons why Srinath was too short during the first half of his career. Because the deliveries looked spectacular when they thuded into the keeper's gloves. But did not produce enough edges and he did not take enough wickets at the beginning of his career. You are absolutely right about his body language. One of the worst body languages I have ever seen. He once apologized to Ponting after bowling a bouncer.

Hmm. I don't think you are right. I remember reading a Lillee interview where in he specifically mentions that both Prasad and Srinath did not have sufficient upper body strength to hit the deck hard. This was in 1997 or 98. Infact, Lillee says in the same interview that fast bowlers need that zip after the bounce to be great bowlers. Lillee then advises both Prasad and Srinath to practice fielding in the deep to develop the strong arms needed to create the genuine pace after hitting the deck. Yes, Srinath apologizing to Ponting was ridiculous. Batsmen did not fear Srinath, because Srinath never liked hitting the batsmen. It was a good trait outside the field, but you can't be soft as a fast bowler on the field.

[express bowling]

didn't see a lot of him before 2000 as was too young so have a question: Was he very injury prone akin to lets say Akhtar or Yadav these days. Only played 67 tests!!!!

No , he was not. Your observation is very interesting. The reason for this is because India played far lesser tests per year during the 1990s.

[sweetaskandy]

^ Yes, tests became much more frequent in the 2000s onwards. 8 odd tests a year or so was the norm for much of recent cricket history until this era.

[express bowling]

Hmm. I don't think you are right. I remember reading a Lillee interview where in he specifically mentions that both Prasad and Srinath did not have sufficient upper body strength to hit the deck hard. This was in 1997 or 98. Infact, Lillee says in the same interview that fast bowlers need that zip after the bounce to be great bowlers. Lillee then advises both Prasad and Srinath to practice fielding in the deep to develop the strong arms needed to create the genuine pace after hitting the deck. Yes, Srinath apologizing to Ponting was ridiculous. Batsmen did not fear Srinath, because Srinath never liked hitting the batsmen. It was a good trait outside the field, but you can't be soft as a fast bowler on the field.

Look at any videos of him bowling before 1997 and judge for yourself. The 1996 tour of England would be a good one to pick as the bounce in England is neither too high like Australia nor too low like India. Old interviews are hardly the best sources of information if you want to form a correct opinion about a past player whom you have not seen much. There are out of context statements, incorrect interpretation of what the expert said and personal biases of the expert.

[express bowling]

^ Yes, tests became much more frequent in the 2000s onwards. 8 odd tests a year or so was the norm for much of recent cricket history until this era.

Yep. 1990s were about 35 to 40 ODIs per year. Interestingly, in the early 1980s, India used to play 10 to 17 tests a year....when ODIs were few and far better. ODIs picked up from the mid to late 80s.

[rkt.india]

didn't see a lot of him before 2000 as was too young so have a question: Was he very injury prone akin to lets say Akhtar or Yadav these days. Only played 67 tests!!!!

Because it took 3 years after his debut for him to play a test at home only once Kapil retired. There was no place for him. Kapil and Prabhakar were our main bowlers and 3 spinners at home. Also, we used to play very less amount of tests back then.

[the don]

i saw him in australia in 99 and he was barely around 132 kph .

He was even slower than an ageing wasim playing his last international game in 2003 .

 

 

[the don]

He lacked the pace and attitude of a fast bowler . Look how Ponting treats him after getting struck by a 135 kph bouncer.

 

[Vijy]

On 12/10/2014 at 10:36 PM, rkt.india said:

Quote

didn't see a lot of him before 2000 as was too young so have a question: Was he very injury prone akin to lets say Akhtar or Yadav these days. Only played 67 tests!!!!

Because it took 3 years after his debut for him to play a test at home only once Kapil retired. There was no place for him. Kapil and Prabhakar were our main bowlers and 3 spinners at home. Also, we used to play very less amount of tests back then.

yes, these were the reasons.

[AmreekanDesi]

He seems one of those guys whose legend increases as time passes on 

[Vilander]

lol scum has come to this thread now...hehe

 

after getting his arse handed with pace stats in speed thread, scum is here posting selective videos of Srinath.

 

1999 WC srinath was second fastest after Akthar lol...where were your waqar and wasim ?

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/111878.html

[Vijy]

6 hours ago, Vilander said:

lol scum has come to this thread now...hehe

 

after getting his arse handed with pace stats in speed thread, scum is here posting selective videos of Srinath.

 

1999 WC srinath was second fastest after Akthar lol...where were your waqar and wasim ?

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/111878.html

just before akhtar, he was a contender for the fastest bowler in the world who was a team regular (i.e. ignoring occasional selections like hayward). I know he was faster than donald and the rest when the teams met.

[Mariyam]

Technically, isn't every one of us one in 1.3 billion, given our numbers?

[nevada]

On 12/20/2017 at 11:15 PM, AmreekanDesi said:

He seems one of those guys whose legend increases as time passes on 

Yup. He had his moments but "one in a billion" headline is too much. 

[Rightarmfast]

6 hours ago, nevada said:

Yup. He had his moments but "one in a billion" headline is too much. 

Clearly you haven't followed cricket much, and let's not even talk about fast bowling with you!

[Muloghonto]

Overrated bowler. Yes, he was faster than he was given credit for, but he lacked control, wasn't very smart with his bowling and had the most passive body-language ever for a fast bowler. No self-confidence. 

The biggest problem with Srinath was he was, for most of his career, an absolute ZERO with the out swinger and couldn't control his swing (the inswinger) very well. Standard over from Srinath was a few short of length balls on 5th stump corridor that'd thud into the keeper's gloves, then a small inswinger that'd miss the edge, then a massive inswinger into the pads thats steered fine. 

Just about the only thing Srinath was underrated for, was his speed. But overall, a very average pacer. 

[Rightarmfast]

We missed you @Muloghonto! I see that you haven't lost any of your charms you are known for :)