All eyes on rookie Nathu Singh ahead of warm-up game

Plenty of attention will be fixed on rookie pacer Nathu Singh when Board President’s XI take on the touring South Africa side in a two-day warm-up match at Brabourne Stadium here from Friday.

The little known 20-year-old has played just four first-class games and has been given a chance to show his fast bowling skills on the big stage.

The Rajasthan speedster who according to reports can clock regularly in the 140kmph is a mystery not only to the visitors but also to the home side. Both team coach Ashish Kapoor and skipper Cheteshwar Pujara said they had not seen him bowl before.

“I just saw him today. Last night I told him to show a video of his bowling action,” Kapoor said.“Nathu Singh is a talented youngster. The most important thing is he is quick and can swing the ball as per my observation in the nets. Another good thing about him is that he is very young and has a bright future ahead of him,” Pujara said.

It will be a great experience for the budding cricketer to bowl against the no. 1 Test team in the world with quality batsmen like Hashim Amla and AB deVilliers.

“Such matches against top players in the world will give him a lot of confidence. Also being in this atmosphere will help him grow and be a good cricketer,” Pujara added.

The match also provides opportunities for young batsmen like Unmukt Chand, Karun Nair and Shreyar Iyer to showcase their skills in company of Indian Test squad members Pujara and K.L. Rahul.

Wicketkeeper Naman Ojha made his Test debut against Sri Lanka after Wriddhiman Saha was injured. But with Saha in the Test squad again, Ojha will need to make his presence felt with the bat and behind the stumps to remain on the selectors’ radar. Besides, Singh, Mumbai new-ball bowler Shardul Thakur and spinners Karn Sharma, Jayant Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav form the attack.

Leg spinner Sharma has played international cricket and he will be hoping to impress. All rounder Jayant who can bowl off-breaks and left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep will seek to fox the Proteas with their spin.

The visiting team have a decent chance to get into the groove for the longest version of the game after their series wins in the T20 and ODI series against India.

The likes of batsmen Stiaan van Zyl and Temba Bavuma, pacer Vernon Philander and off-break bowlers Simon Harmer and Dane Piedt, wicket-keeper Dane Vilas who did not feature in the limited overs’ series will get a taste of the Indian conditions.