Badri to replace injured Gambhir

The Tamil Nadu batsman says he will look to perform well, irrespective of the opposition, reports KR Guruprasad.

For 28-year-old S Badrinath “it was a dream come true” to be included in the Indian team for the ongoing one-day series against Australia. “I am happy about getting the call,” he said on Monday.

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Badrinath has been called in as a replacement for the injured Gautam Gambhir. The Tamil Nadu batsman said though he had been expecting to be selected, the call had come sooner than he had expected. “I knew that I am in great form and have been scoring runs. So, I was expecting a call for national duty. But this has taken me by surprise.”

Badrinath got the news at the end of the third day's play of the Irani Cup vs against Mumbai. A part of Rest of India, he continued: “I have been asked to join the team as soon as this match gets over. It could be either tomorrow or day after.”

Undaunted by the idea of playing his first match against Australian, he remarked: “It doesn't matter who the opposition is. I have been preparing myself and I will look to perform well, irrespective of the opposition.”

With a packed schedule before ahead, Badrinath felt it was the right time to break in. “This is the right time to get this call as there is a lot of cricket coming up. I hope to make the best use of whatever opportunity I get.”

A useful off-spinner, Badrinath felt he could add value to the team. “I’m basically a batsman and back myself as a fielder. My bowling abilities will add value to the team.”