Nanda has landed a plum contract with the English club cricket circuit where he will be turning out for Middlesbrough in the premier division. He has been in great demand to ply his tricks in England after he claimed a record 106 wickets in 19 games last season.
“I am very happy to have bagged a contract in England. Of course, I was hoping to play in the IPL for Delhi and I don’t know why I wasn’t picked. It was disappointing, but the rejection has added to the fire in my belly. It’s a blessing in disguise because I have got to prove some people wrong,” he says.
Recognition has come in bits and spurts. While Shane Warne’s coach Jerry Turner hailed Nanda as a good prospect in 2007—he subsequently earned a Duleep Trophy call-up for North Zone the next season—Nanda has remained under the shadow of his more glamourous team mates. “I think it’s your luck or destiny. Ishant’s climb has been quick, but not everyone can rise in that manner. I have to work a lot harder... as always,” he says as an afterthought.
Nanda worked his way back into first-class cricket from almost obscurity; after spectacular performances in junior-age categories, he lost his turn and rhythm at a critical juncture. “When I was young, I used to turn the ball a lot. Then, I gained height. That affected my bowling. I took time to adjust my line and length and almost quit cricket. I took time off and later realised that I could use height to my advantage and bowl wicket-to-wicket,” he explains. But it was difficult to explain to the critics about his fastish Kumble-like leg-spin. “It was tough initially, and people used to criticise me for lack of spin. I can still turn the ball but my strength is to bowl wicket-to-wicket,” says Nanda.
At a time when Indian cricket is getting young, where does the 28-year-old seek to go? “Twenty eight is not a bad age. I am more mature, I know how to deal with situations now,” he says with a smile.