Left-arm spin bowler Shahbaz Nadeem made his debut for the Indian team at the age of 30 after vast experience playing in domestic circuit. Playing for Jharkhand, the player made his test debut against South Africa and took four wickets in the match as well as a crucial run out conversion.
After India registered a victory by innings and 202 runs, Nadeem was seen talking in the dressing room with former captain and veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He was very excited and emotional after his memorable debut and also thanked Dhoni for his performance. Although, Dhoni was expected to arrive at JSCA stadium but it was only the fourth day when his fans had a glimpse of him in the dressing room.
In an exclusive chat with TOI, Shahbaz Nadeem revealed that it was just normal talks with Dhoni after the game ended. “I met him (Dhoni) after the match. I asked him, ‘Mahi Bhai how did I do?” he told.
MS Dhoni replied to him and said that he has got matured with his experience in domestic cricket and he need not need to experiment in his bowling. ‘Shahbaz, you have matured now. I was watching you bowl. There is a maturity in your bowling now. That is because of your domestic experience. Just don’t experiment too much and play the way you have been playing. Your journey has started, Shahbaz.’ We chatted about our journeys,” The Bihar born Jharkhand bound cricketer told.
With an out of form and injured Kuldeep Yadav, the selectors may turn their attention towards Nadeem in the Bangladesh test series which starts next month. On the other hand, uncertainty is looming over the career of MS Dhoni and the veteran of 350 ODIs is now expected to return for the West Indies limited overs series which starts in the month of December.
