A future fast bowler in making; Seven-feet tall Nishanth took up cricket to lose weight!

The 19-year-old lad, who is six feet and nine inches tall, already put on an impressive show in his debut for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat on Friday, scalping two wickets.

Nishanth Saranu can be called a ‘new-kid-on-the-block’ in Indian cricket.

The 19-year-old lad, who is six feet and nine inches tall, already put on an impressive show in his debut for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat on Friday, scalping two wickets.

But cricket was not his passion. While speaking to Indian Express Nishanth revealed he did not play cricket even three years ago. He disclosed he was trying badminton and tennis, but these disciplines did not suit him. He aimed to reduce fat. "I was chubby, weighed 102 kgs! I wanted only to reduce my weight. That was why I took up cricket in 2021," Nishanth told Indian Express

The interesting lift in his career was last year when his bowling at the nets against Pakistan batsmen in the World Cup drew the attention of Pakistan's bowling coach, Morne Morkel. 

Nishanth also caught eyes of Rahul Dravid earlier this year, when India were in Hyderabad for the Test match. In the last IPL, he rubbed shoulders with the country’s top pacers of Mumbai Indians like Jasprit Bumrah as a net bowler.

Nishanth is a product of Coaching Beyond Academy in Hyderabad, run by former India fielding coach R Sridhar. 

He added, “I used to mimic Bumrah’s action. When you are not a professional, you try to mimic your favorite bowler. Of course, it was not easy for me because of my frame. But I thought, why change it? It is only after I joined an academy I realized I need to have my bowling action.”

Nishanth then found his appropriate bowling action and run-up during his next year's hard work thanks to veteran bowling coach TA Sekhar’s continuous effort to help him with a suitable action and the load-up. 

Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun too has been keeping a close eye on Nishanth’s progress.

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