"I did my best" : Subramaniam Badrinath Opens Up On His Truncated International Career

It would not be wrong to say that Subramaniam Badrinath was one of the unfulfilled talents and probably a lost genius. He plied his trade for the Indian national team for only ten matches across three formats, the last of which came in 2011. However, Subramaniam Badrinath played at a time when India had the most settled batting line-up in Tests, having the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, and Yuvraj Singh.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir Fine Cricketer But Has Some Problem As Human Being: Shahid Afridi

Badrinath made his Test debut against South Africa in 2010, scoring a fifty on debut before managing single-figure scores in the next two innings. And despite averaging 54.49 in 145 first-class fixtures, the Tamil Nadu did not get the nod for Tests after 2010. Subramaniam Badrinath also secured the man of the match in his first and only T20 international, scoring 43.

In an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times, the right-handed batsman revealed to have done everything in his power; however, the star-studded batting line-up came in his way. At the same time, he reckons he could have focussed a bit more on his bowling and being a decent off-spinner, Badrinath could have eyed the all-rounder’s slot.

“I tried everything within my reach. The batting order was really packed with Sachin, Rahul, Laxman, Sehwag, Gambhir and Yuvraj. But one thing that I may have done was focus a bit on my bowling. I could have aimed for that allrounder’s slot because I was a pretty decent offspinner and I’d taken some wickets,” the 39-year old stated.

“Batting wise, I couldn’t have done anything more” : Subramaniam Badrinath

The 39-year old further lamented the help he did not receive that time. He added that instead of focussing entirely on his batting, he could have nurtured his spin-bowling skills a little more. However, Badrinath asserted that as a batsman, he could not have done anything more.

“I also didn’t have help at the time. Rather than focussing entirely on my batting, I could have fitted as an all-rounder – batting at No. 6 or 7, be a third spinning option. Batting wise, I couldn’t have done anything more. I did my best,” he added.

Yet, Subramaniam Badrinath was one of the vital cogs in Chennai Super Kings’ victorious campaigns in IPL 2010 and 2011. In 2010, he scored 356 runs at 32.36 while in 2011, the right-handed middle-order batsman mustered 396 runs, averaging 56.27 and striking at 126.52.

Also Read: Saba Karim Quits As BCCI General Manager Cricket Operations