IPL 2018: Basil Thampi Reveals Sreesanth 'Motivates' Him as a Bowler

Young seamer from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Basil Thampi has admitted that he seeks advice from suspended cricket Shanthakumaran Sreesanth whenever the former feels low.

Meanwhile, Thampi rose to fame in the 2017 edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) where he won the Emerging Players Award. Since then he has never looked back as his career has taken an upward slide.

However, Thampi never forgets to thank all those who shaped his career — from his childhood club mentor – to his Kerala state cricket seniors.

Sreesanth, whose career took a downfall since spot-fixing allegation in 2013 finds an important mention in Thampi’s list.

“Yeah, I speak with Sree bhai also when I have some doubt. If I am feeling low, I message him and he replies. He tells me what to do in certain situations or things that I ought to have done. He motivates me,” Thampi said in an interview.

The 24-year-old Thampi credited IPL for his success and admitted that he got confidence because of this. He also revealed that chairman of selectors MSK Prasad suggested him to practice hard.

“Now everyone knows me. It happened after the last IPL. I got confidence in my bowling. After the 2017 edition, I got a chance in Deodhar Trophy, Duleep Trophy, India A (Away tour of South Africa and home series against New Zealand). I got selected in the India team also for the Sri Lanka tour. MSK Prasad recently texted me to keep practicing hard,” he added.

I am not competing with anyone: Thampi

Thampi’s rise has come at a time when the India team has quality pacers in their ranks. From Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Jasprit Bumrah, the competition is too tough.

Even in his new IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad, Thampi has the likes of Bhuvneshwar, Siddharth Kaul, and Sandeep Sharma for a company.

“I am not competing with anyone. I know my bowling well. I don’t have that much swing. What I can do is hit the right length with great speed. Last year, I consistently bowled yorkers. This time, I just want to mix the deliveries, maybe two yorkers and then a slower one. I am still working on it,” Thampi added.

Meanwhile, Thampi picked two for four in 1.5 overs against Mumbai Indians in the last match. He also played a crucial role in defending his team’s total of 118 runs.

Moreover, Thampi also worked with the legendary bowler Glenn McGrath at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai.

In addition, Basil Thampi revealed that the former Australian seamer advised him to study the batsmen well and not reduce his pace.

“He advised me to study the batsman well. He told me of different situations during his playing days. He said I should not reduce my pace, even if that means the ball does not swing. This is not the first time I have worked with him. He and Tinu Yohannan have helped me a lot grow as a bowler,” he concluded.

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