Indian fast bowler Shivam Mavi has revealed that he dreams of one day playing alongside Kamlesh Nagarkoti for Team India. About six years ago, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti burst onto the scene through the 2018 U-19 World Cup.
Both impressed enormously with the serious pace they managed to generate throughout the tournament.
Nagarkoti and Mavi reached constant speeds of around 145 km/h and the opposing batsmen were in trouble.
It was heartening to see two young Indian fast bowlers reaching such speeds and putting the opposing batsmen in trouble with pace and bounce.
Brilliant careers diminished
Both were considered future fast bowlers for India. However, they did not fare as well as they had planned. Since then, both youngsters have fallen behind in the pecking order.
While Mavi has played six T20Is for India, Nagarkoti is yet to make her international debut.
Both players’ careers have been hampered by injuries. Despite being highly talented, they have not been able to consistently perform at their best.
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Shivam Mavi expresses happiness over the success of her U-19 classmates
Shivam Mavi was injured in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and had to leave the Lucknow Super Giants squad midway through the tournament due to a stress fracture.
He recently made his professional comeback in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League while playing for Kashi Rudras.
After the match, he revealed his conversation with his former U-19 teammate Kamlesh Nagarkoti. Both of them spent a month together at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) a few days ago.
Mavi recalls speaking about his U-19 teammates and how they have taken their game to the next level. He expressed happiness at the progress shown by Shubman Gill, Riyan Parag, Arshdeep Singh and Abhishek Sharma.
“We were talking about Shubman (Gill), Arsh (Arshdeep Singh), Abhishek (Sharma) and Riyan (Parag), who will play for India and that makes us happy. Seeing them doing well inspires you,” Mavi was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti dream of playing together for the Indian national team
The 25-year-old fast bowler also revealed that he and Kamlesh Nagarkoti promised each other to play together for India one day. He also stated that Nagarkoti will be available for domestic cricket in the upcoming season.
“We have promised this to each other. Kamlesh is much better. He has not played cricket for a long time. He is no longer negative, he will play the national championship this season and is eager to do well. The hunger is back,” Mavi added.
Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti played a key role in India’s 2018 U-19 World Cup title win.
The young Indian spinner picked up 9 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 18.88, while Nagarkoti also picked up 9 wickets in the tournament at an average of 16.33.
Mavi got the opportunity to play for India in 2023 where he played 6 T20Is and took 7 wickets at an average of 17.57 and an economy rate of 8.78 with a best of 4-22.
