IND vs SA | Feels nice that my hard work on the domestic circuit paid off, says Shahbaz Nadeem

After making his first-class debut as a 15-year-old back in 2004-05, Shahbaz Nadeem has always been a consistent performer for whichever side he had played for, taking his stocks up in the process. A fine left-arm spinner, who has as many as 424 FC wickets to his name ahead of making his Test debut at his home venue in Ranchi, can trace his success chart to sheer hard work and persistence, a negotiable trait in cricket. And quite understandably, he is happy for his Test debut.

"It feels nice that whatever hard work I put in in the domestic circuit paid off. Glad to make my debut at home. The Test cap has a different value for a cricketer, especially at home. There were some emotions, but I focussed on the match. I was nervous for the first three balls, but from the fourth ball onwards it felt normal," Nadeem told host broadcasters at the end of Day 3.

His first wicket in international cricket turned out to be Temba Bavuma, who charged down the wicket to play a shot off Nadeem, but the latter dragged his length back to extract some sharp spin off the deck. Saha was good enough to grab that and did the rest as Nadeem walked in celebration. On being asked about it, the spinner added that it was a dream delivery for any left-arm spinner. 

"As a left-arm spinner, it was a nice delivery to spin the ball away, so it was a special wicket. It is always nice to play with senior players. They (Ashwin and Jadeja) share their experience and they are the best spinners in the world. I try and learn on seeing them bowl. As long as the ball was hard it kept turning, but as soon as it becomes soft it stops turning and goes straighter. Basically I have worked on my followthrough to ensure my body weight goes through at the time of release," the Jharkhand spinner added.