By Trisha Ghosal in Birmingham
Yesterday’s optional practice session for the Indian players turned into something quite special—not for the cricketers, but for a handful of club-level bowlers who found themselves with the chance of a lifetime. While it’s routine for teams to practice with local net bowlers, it remains a huge opportunity for those bowlers to test their skills against the best in the world.
Of India’s regular bowling group, only Kuldeep Yadav turned up for the session, leaving the nets open primarily for about 5–6 local bowlers. After the practice wrapped up, I had the chance to chat with two of them: Cyrus Shafi, a left-arm spinner, and Umar Shaikh, a right-arm off-spinner.
I asked how they were selected. Cyrus explained, “Last time when India played here, I bowled in the nets to Virat Kohli. They liked my bowling, so when the team came back, I was contacted.”
Umar, meanwhile, was experiencing it all for the first time. “This is my first time,” he said, the excitement unmistakable in his voice.
Talking about what it meant to bowl to international stars, Cyrus said, “These kinds of experiences and exposure are always good. Love it.”
India’s top four from the first Test—KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and captain Shubman Gill—were all in attendance. I asked Umar how he felt bowling to them. “I was nervous in the beginning. There were butterflies in my stomach. But once I bowled 2-3 balls, the nerves slowly started to settle in and I started enjoying it.”
The conversation soon took an unexpected turn when Cyrus asked me where in India I was from, and whether I covered only sport or also the entertainment beat? When I replied Kolkata, Umar jumped in, “Oh, you know Bengali then? Like Babita from Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah?” I laughed and said yes.
“Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and CID were my favourites growing up. Do you watch them? CID’s new season has been launched… are you watching it?” Umar asked eagerly. And just like that, Shubman Gill and his team took a brief backseat as we discussed the world of ACP Pradyuman and his team.
On my way back, I noticed Cyrus wearing a Cricket South Africa practice jersey. Curious, I asked how he got it. “I bowled to the South African cricketer who made his debut recently. He gifted this to me. Lhuan-Dre Pretorius. He played so well, I have bowled to him,” Cyrus said with a glint of pride in his eyes.
While the countdown to the second Test between India and England continues, it’s these off-the-pitch conversations—with passion, nerves, pride, and a hint of television nostalgia—that stay with you long after the game moves on.
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