As aspiring cricketer doesn’t always need to put in outstanding performances for making a national debut, especially in today’s era. A decent campaign in the IPL can earn you name and fame too. Gujarat Lions’ speedster Basil Thampi became one such player, who grabbed a lot of eyeballs with his pace and ability to bowl consistent yorkers in IPL 2017.
Thampi returned his home after the conclusion of Gujarat Lions’ campaign in IPL 2017 last week. He is currently busy attending cricket tournaments as chief guest, signing autographs for fans and obliging requests for interviews.
On Friday afternoon, Thampi was at the Rajagiri College ground in Kakkanad as the chief guest of an Under 15 tournament organized by his club, the Swantons, where kids were excited to take selfies with their IPL star. Thampi didn’t disappoint.
During a recent interview with TOI, Thampi said, “I know how excited the kids would be when they meet cricketers they have seen only on TV. I was like them some five years back. In 2012, I insisted on working for a catering company owned by a friend just because it served food to Ranji Trophy cricketers at the Jawaharlal Nehru staIPLdium. I was overjoyed meeting the likes of S Sreesanth, Raiphi Vincent Gomez, and Sony Cheruvathur. I have not risen to their stature but I am happy that everyone is appreciating my performances in IPL.”
In IPL 2017, Thampi bagged 11 wickets from 12 matches at an economy rate of 9.49. tehThese figures didn’t justify his performance in the IPL, as he dismissed players like Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Kieron Pollard and Hashim Amla in crucial situations.
Speaking about his IPL performance, Thampi said, “Records will always show Gayle as my first IPL wicket. But more than that, I liked the way I managed to trap a batsman of his class LBW with a yorker. I used to tell my friends in my neighborhood in Perumbavoor that if ever I played in IPL, I would like to play for RCB as that would spare me from being hit by Gayle. But here I was getting him dismissed. It was a surreal feeling.”
Thampi credits the happy environment in Gujarat Lions dressing room for his success. he concluded, “It took me four matches to get my first wicket. But they never put pressure on me. My skipper Raina said, ‘You are bowling well. It’s just a matter of time.’ Munaf bhai (Munaf Patel) and Streaky (Heath Streak) spent a lot of time on my bowling.”
