Dubey terms his SRH call as a ‘PLEASANT SURPRISE’

By Paritosh Pramaink

HE WAS not expecting the call but was preparing for the Vidarbha Pro T20 League (VPTL) and the next domestic red-ball season ahead.

But Vidarbha’s spin all-rounder Harsh Dubey, who had hit a fluent 33-ball 60 in the Vijay Hazare final earlier this year, got a ‘pleasant surprise when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) called him for a trial and later picked him as the replacement player for injured left-hander Smaran Ravichandran for the remainder of the Indian Premier League season.

Ranji Trophy winner Dubey, who is the highest wicket-taker with 69 scalps this season, had attended pre-season trials of many franchises but was unlucky not to be picked by any during the last year’s mega auction.

Not the one to sulk over results and decisions, left-arm spinner Dubey, who was declared as the man of the tournament (Ranji) for his 476 runs and 69 wickets, was preparing for the VPTL when he got the call from SRH management to join the team.

“It a pleasant surprise. A bit shocking too,” Dubey told ‘The Hitavada’ with a chuckle while talking from Hyderabad where he joined the franchise on Saturday. “I never look too far. I want to stay in the present. After the snub in pre-season trials, I concentrated on the red-ball season and enjoyed the Ranji title victory. Frankly speaking, I was preparing for the Vidarbha League (VPTL) which is round the corner, when I got the call to attend the trials a few days ago,” said the 22-year-old cricketer.

Dubey, who wanted to be called as a batting-all-rounder, said it is a great opportunity for him to join SRH side which has some big names and a few with whom he had played in domestic cricket.

“It gives me a great opportunity to learn from the stalwarts the team has. I have played with and against Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sachin Baby...so it will be great to have company of some good players. I will definitely learn during this three-week stay with the team led by Pat Cummins,” said Dubey who has joined SRH for Rs 30 lakh.

Dubey said he was picked from three other players who were called for trials. “There were players from MP, Delhi and other states who were also called for the trials. As they (SRH) needed a spin all-rounder, I think, I got the preference,” Dubey signed off.