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'Test cricket was my ultimate goal'
Karnataka pacer R Vinay Kumar tells Harish Kotian he was expecting the Test call-up since he is one of the most consistent performers in the Ranji Trophy.
It was a dream come true for Karnataka pacer R Vinay Kumar on Friday. The 27-year-old pacer finally made it to India's Test squad.
He was named as the replacement for Varun Aaron, who was ruled out of the four-Test series against Australia, beginning December 26, with a back injury.
"It was my dream to play Test cricket and I am delighted at being selected for the Australia tour.
"Test cricket was my ultimate goal and I am happy to have made it to the Test squad," Vinay told rediff.com, shortly after being included in the squad.
'I am confident of doing well in Australia'
The right-arm pace bowler is one of the most consistent bowlers in domestic cricket, having a haul of 241 wickets from 66 first class matches.
In the last few months, he became a permanent fixture in India's One-Day International team on the back of a good showing with the ball.
But Test cricket is what Vinay wanted to be a part of. And, having been called up, it is not surprising that he is confident of a good showing.
"I have toured Australia four times for the Emerging Players' tournament and I have done really well there. In fact, I even got the best bowler award in 2007, so I am confident of doing well in Australia," he said.
He was quick to thank all who played a part in his rise over the last few years.
"I want to thank my first coach, Prakash Pawar, who is no more; then, my current coach, LM Prakash from Davangere; my family, my friends, all my team-mates and the Karnataka Cricket Association for all their support and encouragement in the last few years. It would not have been possible without them," he said.
'Test cricket is a big challenge'
Vinay believes that Test cricket is the ultimate challenge for any cricketer.
"In Test cricket you come up against the best batsmen in the world, and the conditions are not always in your favour. You got to be patient and stick to the basics; that is why Test cricket is a big challenge."
Vinay joins his Karnataka teammate Abhimanyu Mithun, making it two fast bowlers from the state to be selected to the Indian Test squad after a long time.
Hopefully, the duo will follow in the footsteps of former India pacers from the state, Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, who enjoyed a lot of success bowling in tandem.
"After a long time we have two Karnataka fast bowlers in the Indian Test squad and this is great news for our state. Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad had done so well for India; now, me and Mithun hope to do the same," said the fast bowler.
Vinay said he was confident of making it to the Test squad sooner than later, so the selection did not come as a big shock for him.
"I got a call from a BCCI official this afternoon about my selection. I was delighted that I finally made it to the Test squad, but, quite frankly, I was expecting the call, because I have been one of the most consistent performers in Ranji Trophy cricket," he added.