11 February,2022 01:30 PM IST | Mumbai | Harit Joshi
Sagar Udeshi’s transformation
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has not just grown by leaps and bounds, but the cash-rich T20 league has also become the benchmark for every cricketer pursing the sport in India.
Being a part of the IPL is now the first dream for most Indian cricketers.
Mumbai-born Pondicherry cricketer Sagar Udeshi is proud to be a part of the 590 franchisee-shortlisted cricketers who will be up for grabs in the two-day IPL mega auction on February 12 and 13 at Bangalore.
At 35, he is the oldest uncapped left-arm orthodox spinner in the auction.
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This is the second consecutive time he has made the cut for the IPL auction and he hopes to find a team who will grab him.
Udeshi is not just riding on his tremendous performance in domestic cricket over the last three seasons, but also on his improved fitness levels inspired by Indian batting star Virat Kohli. Udeshi has lost nearly 30 kgs ever since he first met Kohli in 2012 when he was called to bowl to the Indian team at the Brabourne Stadium.
"When I first bowled to Virat bhai, I was around 105 kilos. I got an opportunity to bowl to him again at the same ground in December last year when he was preparing for the second Test against New Zealand. I am 78 kilos now. I am truly inspired by his fitness regime and I am seeing the difference in my performance too," Udeshi told mid-day.com.
In his maiden domestic outing in 2019-20 for Pondicherry, Udeshi finished with 68 wickets in the season---45 wickets in nine Ranji Trophy matches, 19 wickets in 10 Vijay Hazare Trophy games and four wickets in seven Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 ties. His economy rate was astounding too - 2.32 (in Ranji), 2.87 (in Vijay Hazare) and 5.88 (in Mushtaq Ali T20) - all in his debut season.
In the last two Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 seasons, Udeshi claimed 18 wickets at an economy rate of under six.
He claimed eight wickets each in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy over the last two seasons.
Some of his performances have come against quality opponents like Mumbai and Karnataka
Udeshi thanked Kohli for his transformation. "When I showed him my picture with him in 2012, it was a great feeling. He has shown the importance of fitness. It reflects on your performance. I thanked Virat bhai for providing the impetus and inspiring us to take fitness seriously," he said.
