Botha delighted to be part of IPL after ICC cleared his action

Seven days after viewing the IPL from the stands in Port Elizabeth, SA tweaker is delighted to play in the tournament after ICC clearance of his bowling action

Botha delighted to be part of IPL after ICC cleared his action

Seven days after viewing the IPL from the stands in Port Elizabeth, SA tweaker is delighted to play in the tournament after ICC clearance of his bowling action

Imagine his predicament. Not long ago he led South Africa in Twenty20 cricket and he couldn't be part of the most glamorous Twenty20 event in his hometown.

Johan Botha had a memorable IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians last week.

At the time, he was awaiting the report on his suspect action and was uncertain about his future. However, things turned out better for him during the week.

Though banned from bowling the doosra by the International Cricket Council, he has been given the green signal to play domestic and international cricket.

Tough

"It was tough, but everything happens for a reason. You can't predict things in life, they come up; you have to overcome it and move on.
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I have got my bowling sorted out which was the main thing and I can get on with my career," Botha told MiD DAY.

Botha has been signed by Rajasthan Royals for the remainder of the IPL, but he would miss playing in front of his home crowd at Port Elizabeth.

Royals don't play a match here again, their only match at St George's Park was on May 2 against Deccan Chargers.

"It's a bit tough. Probably, I would have liked to play from the start of the IPL," said Botha.

The spinner was reported by umpires Rudi Koertzen, Brian Jerling and Asoka de Silva after the fourth one-day international between South Africa and Australia last month for a suspect quicker ball and the doosra.

Unaffected

He bowled his full quota of four overs in the first game he played for Royals against Mumbai Indians, bowling the penultimate over in his team's win in the do-or-die game.

So, how is it not being able to use the doosra? Does he feel handicapped? "Not too much. I haven't bowled the doosra that much in international cricket in the last year.

I bowled a few in the one-day series against Australia. I just need to be more consistent with my normal ball," said Botha.

He is vice-captain of the South Africa side in the ICC World T20 Cup and the best part of playing in the IPL for him is the preparation it will give him for the event.

"It will be good preparation for the T20 World Cup. I haven't played in the last two months. This (IPL) is a bonus before the World Cup."

Favourites

According to Botha, defending champions India will be the team to beat. "India will be favourites for the tournament. They are a brilliant team.

All the guys have gained great experience in the IPL. But in Twenty20, anything is possible and we will wait and see what happens."

How's it playing in the same team as the greatest spinner of all-time, Shane Warne? "He's a legend of the game and I am not trying to compete with him. We are different type of bowlers. I am going to try and do what I have been doing."

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