*Spoke how good Mithun, Badri were against spinning greats
JAMMU, Mar 6: Comparing stylish middle-order batter Mithun Manhas to the likes of the batting greats like Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root, the spinning stalwart of the country, Ravichandran Ashwin, on the eve of his 100th Test spoke as to how good Mithun Manhas alongwith S Badrinath and Rajat Bhatia were against spin bowling at the domestic circuit.
“I have loved bowling to Steve Smith, Williamson and Joe Root. They are some of the finest batters going around the world now,” said Ashwin.
“When I played First-Class Cricket, I had the privilege of bowling to some of the gun batters of spin – I have bowled to S Badrinath at the Tamil Nadu nets and he was one of the finest batters of spin, then Mithun Manhas, Rajat Bhatia (both from Delhi). “These are some of the greatest batters of spin who I would have not wanted to encounter in international cricket. They were my finishing school before I went on to play international cricket. “I’d like to take my hat out to them because they gave me some valuable lessons,” said Ashwin.
This statement of legendary Indian spinner carries a lot of weight and is really a proud moment, not only for Delhi but for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir where from he belongs and presently runs Cricket as Head of Cricket Operations and Development JKCA.
Mithun has the distinction of representing both Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir as the Ranji Trophy captain for the years together.
Mithun has scored around 10,000 runs in 157 matches of First Class Cricket with 27 centuries and 49 fifties and over 4000 runs in 130 matches of List A Cricket with 5 centuries and 26 half-centuries.
Averaging 45.84 in both the formats, Manhas has the honour of representing North Zone Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy teams as captain more than once and making North Zone clinch Deodhar Trophy under his captaincy, besides having the distinction of being part of the North Zone victorious squads many a time. One of the few unlucky cricketers who despite possessing immense talent and performing consistently well at the domestic circuit and India A levels, has failed to make it to Team India.
Meanwhile, the Indian spinning wizard, Ashwin in the praise of the batting trio…Manhas, Badri and Bhatia said, “Before I played First-Class Cricket and even while playing First-Class, I had the joy and privilege to bowl some of the gun batters of spin that I have ever encountered. Had the privilege of bowling in the nets to S Badrinath, though not encountered much of him in the game. One of the finest batters of spin. Mithun Manhas of Delhi one of the finest players of spin along with Rajat Bhatia.These are some of the greatest batters of spin that I would completely not wanted to have encountered in International cricket. They were some of the most wonderful batters of spin. They were my finishing school before I had started playing International cricket. I would like to take my hat out because they gave me some valuable lessons over the years”
For this acknowledgement, Mithun Manhas and co deserve salutation.
“Spinning great Ravichandran Ashwin is generous with his words,” said Mithun on Ashwin’s statement.
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