16 May,2011 06:27 AM IST | | Harit N Joshi
Pune Warriors' spinner Rahul Sharma talks about coping with facial paralysis
Deccan Chargers' leg-spinner Rahul Sharma's economy rate of 5.24 has made him one of the most economical bowlers in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League. Fourteen wickets in 11 games also contribute to the fact that he is one of the finds of this year's tournament.
Check out what Ravi Shastri had to say about Sharma. "He has shackled the best of batsmen and a whiff of nostalgia is wafting through as comparisons with Anil Kumble are being drawn. He's demanding a closer look and that is a positive," the former India all-rounder wrote on iplt20.com.u00a0
Uneasiness
Sharma may appear cheerful whenever he gets a wicket, but he also endures his share of upheavals. He is a victim of Bell's Palsy, a dysfunction of the facial nerve that results in temporary paralysis. Though the most difficult phase of the illness is behind him, he still has to cope with uneasiness.
"I woke up one morning (in 2010) and felt very numb on the right side," Sharma told MiD DAY in his hotel room last week. A few days later, he discovered he had been gripped by Bell's Palsy.
"I was shocked. My mother started crying immediately after hearing this. I was very scared... didn't know what had happened."
The seven-month ordeal was frustrating especially at a time when he was just picked to play for Deccan Chargers ufffd a team he will be up against at the DY Patil Stadium in Nerul today.u00a0
"At first, the doctor advised me complete rest. I told him that I have to play come what may. 'This is my first chance to play and you are telling me to rest? I have worked very hard for this,' I told the doctor.
"I was unable to sight the ball properly at first. Everything was blurred. All I could do was bowl, so they (Deccan) let me do so. The doctor told me that the numbness would stay for five to six months. It lasted for seven months because I didn't take rest. I thank Deccan who took care of me really well and encouraged me to do well.
"I still suffer from the illness, but those six months were very difficult. I used to get very irritable, but I knew I would overcome it one day. Those facial exercises helped; will power too," he said.
Impressive
Sharma's most impressive IPL IV performance came against Mumbai Indians when he bagged the man of the match award despite ending up on the losing side.
He conceded just seven runs in four overs and took two wickets, including that of skipper Sachin Tendulkar at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. His three-wicket spell against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur on May 1 was significant too.
Sharma is surprised by his IPL show. "I didn't think I would do so well in the tournament. I worked very hard to give my best because this is the only tournament in India where everyone notices your performances. I am happy the way things have panned out so far," said the leggie.
