New Delhi: Nineteen-year-old Indian-origin cricketer Nivethan Radhakrishnan has been selected to play for Australia in the 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup.
He is one of two India-born players — the other being 17-year-old Harkirat Bajwa — in Australia’s U19 World Cup squad, which will face off against the West Indies in the first match of the tournament on 14 January 2022 in Guyana. Both teenagers have also played for Australia’s Under-16 side.
Radhakrishnan, who moved to Sydney from India in 2013, is the only known ambidextrous cricketer in Australia. Before this, he was part of the Indian Premier League as a net bowler for the Delhi Capitals.
Ambidextrous bowler from Dindigul
Born in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district, Radhakrishnan’s family immigrated to Australia in 2013 when he was 10 years old. His father, Anbu Selvan, is a former junior Tamil Nadu cricketer, who later also managed teams in the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) leagues.
Radhakrishnan played for the Australian Under-16 team in Dubai against Pakistan in 2019, where he was the highest wicket-taker in one day matches, with seven strikes in four matches.
He was part of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) seasons in 2017 and 2018, with squads such as the Karaikudi Kaalai and Dindigul Dragons. Although he didn’t play any TNPL matches, he has played in several other TNCA tournaments.
In an interview with the website Cricket.com.au in June this year, the young spinner said, “I’ve got Ricky Ponting watching me bat! Oh my God — this is peak.” Ponting was his coach when he was preparing to play for the Delhi Capitals in 2021. He has also described West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers as his idol.
Radhakrishnan is known for his ability to bowl with both arms. Cricket.com.au described him as an “ambidextrous spinner” who “can switch which arm he bowls with mid-over depending on the match situation”.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo earlier this year, Radhakrishnan — who is naturally right-handed — said it was his father who suggested that he try bowling with his left hand as well.
He earned his professional contract with the Tasmanian Tigers this year.
Here’s a clip of him in action:
Nivethan Radhakrishnan bowls with both arms. He’s part of Australian U-19 squad. Originally from Tamil Nadu, he has had stints in TNPL & was also net bowler for Delhi Capitals. Idolises Sir Garfield Soberspic.twitter.com/OvFEKRZyCV
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 18, 2021
The 15-player Australian squad, coached by Anthony Clark, will play against the West Indies, Scotland and Sri Lanka in Group D of the Under-19 World Cup, which will be held from 14 January to 5 February 2022.
(Edited by Rohan Manoj)
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