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'Tendulkar's is the best wicket I've taken in my career'
Sachin Tendulkar's dream wicket in the ongoing World Cup is Irish teenager George Dockrell's biggest scalp in his short career and the promising left-arm spinner said he will cherish that moment throughout his life and narrate the story to his kids.
Dockrell got Tendulkar lbw for 38 in India's five-wicket win over the minnows in a Group B match in Bangalore on Sunday. Later in the game, he even dismissed India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also leg before, but for the 18-year-old the master blaster's wicket will always remain in the top of the list.
"Definitely Sachin Tendulkar's wicket is the best wicket I have ever taken in my career so far. I think I will never forget his prized wicket till the end of my career," Dockrell said.
"I am a huge fan of Sachin Tendulkar. I love his batting. Probably, when I become old I will tell this to my children and inspire them," he said.
- Tendulkar completes 2000 runs in W Cup
Interestingly, Dockrell would not have achieved the feat if he had stick to his childhood dream of becoming a fast bowler. "I always wanted to become a fast bowler and started as a left-arm seam bowler. But on a tour of Wales, my coach at the Leinster Cricket Club saw me bowl some spin at the nets and asked me to give it a go in the next match and from there on its just spin obviously.
"At that time a lot of young batsmen found it difficult to play my spin and I was quite successful initially. Then on I seemed to develop quite well. I was able to hit consistently in the right areas and it's going on since then," said the Dublin left-arm orthodox bowler, who made his ODI debut for Ireland only last year.
'I admire Vettori and Murali Kartik'
Dockrell was also impressive for Ireland in the 2009 World Twenty20 following which Somerset snapped him for a two-year contract. Ask him who is his favourite spinner, pat came the reply, "Obviously, Daniel Vettori. He has much control and he is very cunning with his bowling."
In the spin department, he also looks up to India discard Murali Kartik with whom he shared the dressing room in Somerset last season. "I also admire Murali Kartik as a spinner. I saw a bit of him last season in Somerset. He also has amazing control," Dockrell said.
Asked whether Kartik gave him any special tips about how to bowl in Indian conditions, he said, "I haven't spoken to him yet and last season was only my first season in Somerset but I hoping to interact with him more this season."
After giving India a tough fight in their last match, Ireland will lock horns with the West Indies at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Friday and a win against the inconsistent Caribbean team will brighten their quarter-final hopes. Ireland, who are still to play the West Indies, South Africa and the Netherlands, are fifth in Group B and in the hunt for a last eight spot with the top four teams from both groups advancing through to the next round.
"It (the West Indies) is a big game for us. After the win over England there is a lot of confidence in the team that we can beat any side," Dockrell said.