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LURING THE EDGE
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Scalping batsmen with high-fives, Gaurav Dhiman is literally making them dance
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Gaurav Dhiman: rattling the opposition — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash
HE LOVES watching batsmen break into a sweat. "I want to make the batsmen dance," says Gaurav Dhiman. The Karnataka under-19 seamer has been busy swapping high-fives these days, while harried batsmen mutter and meander towards the pavilion. A nine for 42 against Kerala in the Ghulam Ahmed South Zone under-19 tournament match recently, remains a high point, while a five for 22 against Goa, and a six for 36 against Andhra have been other nuggets that have embellished Gaurav's march to the top of the bowling charts.
It has been a recurring vignette this season — Gaurav running in hard, luring the edge, and then losing himself in the frenzied huddle of team mates. At times he also cleans up the timber, while aghast batsmen hear the death rattle as stumps go for a spin. A deceptive outswinger topped with a bouncer and adequate pace makes Gaurav a dangerous customer. And his skill base is enhanced by his perseverance that gives no respite to batsmen though there are a few lessons to be learnt. "I am working on my slower ball and need to improve my bouncer," he says.
Surprisingly, for a fast bowler who is busy gifting insomnia to rival batsmen, his heroes are indeed two batsmen known for their fortitude and flamboyance. "I love Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. I just love their attitude and confidence levels," says Gaurav. He does like watching Brett Lee though, and for reasons that can be summed up in one word — "speed". "Like any fast bowler, I like to bowl fast. I also love to swing the ball. As a bowler you need both, else, there is no point," says Gaurav.
Hustling up batsmen with the odd bouncer and then nudging them into a false stroke may be a Dhiman trademark, but swing plays a prominent part in his repertoire. "He is equally good with the old ball, especially with his reverse swing. In fact, he has been Karnataka's match winner this season," says Sanath Kumar, Talent Resource Development Officer, Karnataka State Cricket Academy, while Rajesh Kamat, the under-19 team coach, says: "He has the right attitude, though it is strange that he does not figure in the probables list for the India under-19 tour of Pakistan. What more should a bowler do?" Gaurav's charge to the bowling crease acquired a polished sheen as he toiled as a trainee at the Karnataka State Cricket Academy. Renowned coach Frank Tyson along with Paras Mhambrey have played their mentoring role to perfection and Gaurav feels indebted to them for his steady progress. "I spoke to Paras Sir last night and he has been constantly motivating me," says Gaurav, who played for Karnataka in the Moin-ud-Dowlah trophy tournament at Hyderabad.
The 17-year old Mahavir Jain College student is busy stretching his horizons. But caution remains a footnote as he says: "I am not looking far too much ahead. I believe that if you think too much about it, things may not happen. I just want to bowl now and get wickets."
K.C.V.
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