Ramesh Powar is my bowling idol, reveals Mehidy Hasan
Bangladesh off-spinner Mehidy Hasan has revealed that it was former Indian off-spinner Ramesh Powar who he idolized growing up, after watching the Indian bowl on Television. Mehidy revealed that he found comfort in his bowling after copying Powarâs action, after years of struggle.
An off-spinner who can both flight the ball and switch to a more round-arm action if necessary, Mehidy Hasan created a ripple in international cricket at the age of 19. Making his debut as a 19-year-old versus England in 2016, Mehidy astonishingly claimed 19 wickets in his first two Tests, taking three six-wicket hauls, helping the Tigers register a series draw versus England at home. Now 22, the off-spinner has since established himself as one of the mainstays in the Bangladesh side across formats, even representing the Tigers in the 2019 World Cup.
However, as a youngster, things were not so smooth for Mehidy, who revealed that he struggled with his bowling action, often failing to find the right rhythm. Interestingly, the 22-year-old then revealed that it was only after he copied former Indian spinner Ramesh Powarâs action that he found comfort in his bowling. Mehidy described Powar as his âbowling idolâ and recalled the time when he watched the former Indian off-spinner bowling on television.Â
âRamesh Powar is my bowling idol. When I started practicing at young age, I used to bowl in different actions. I couldnât find comfort in bowling in different actions. I couldnât bowl in a suitable place too,â Mehidy told Bdcrictime.Â
âSuddenly one day while watching a match of India, Ramesh Powar came in bowling. He was quite fat then. There was quite a turn in his bowling. I found his bowling action very nice. There were much turns too. I was thinking- so fat people, managed to bowl in such good place of the wicket with much turns. So, letâs try to bowl like him one day in the field.â
The 22-year-old, who has now taken 134 international wickets, revealed that he found immaculate control with his bowling the moment he copied Powar and stated that he decided to permanently adopt the Indianâs action. The young off-spinner said that he used to bowl like Powar in his initial days in international cricket, but admitted that his action now differs from that of the veteran Indian.
âSuddenly I went to the field and started trying Powarâs action. I saw that I was bowling very well in that action. The ball is falling in a good place in the wicket and itâs also turning. I thought, from now on, I will bowl with that action. From then on, I started bowling with Powarâs action. At first, the action was similar with him but now maybe something has changed,â Mehidy concluded.