New Delhi: As the domestic season rumbles on, Rajasthan’s left-arm fast bowler Aniket Choudhary has emerged as one of the standout performers on the circuit. Choudhary has picked up 40 wickets from seven Ranji encounters this year, including five five-wicket hauls on the trot and six in his last seven innings.
However, the 28-year old, who has been called up multiple times to bowl in the Indian nets, was still unable to attract the attention of IPL franchises at the recent auction in Jaipur, leaving him a touch disappointed.
“Not getting picked in the auction, I am certainly disappointed,” Choudhary told Cricketnext. “But then maybe it’s a sign that I have to do even better. But then of course if teams are seeing my performance, then maybe I could get a chance into the season, that is if there is an injury or a pull out. If not, I’ll be working even harder for the next year."
Choudhary, who has claimed his 40 wickets at an incredible average of 15.57 this season, is currently in fourth place on the top wicket-takers chart in the Ranji trophy. His efforts have been instrumental in taking Rajasthan to the top of the table in Group C with 5 wins in 7 matches.
“Knowing that you are the senior bowler, you have the pressure of taking the team forward and delivering,” he says. “I guess my three Man of the Match awards tell me that I have done just that. This is maybe the best I have bowled.
“It could have been six fifers on the trot but I missed it by a whisker in the second innings against UP. I don’t know what the world record or Indian record is but for Rajasthan it was three or four five wicket hauls in succession. I can imagine a spinner taking so many fifers back to back, but I can’t really remember a fast bowler do so.
“With Rajasthan on top of the points table, it just seems like I have contributed to the team’s win. So, it’s very satisfying.”
Despite these stellar feats on the domestic circuit, Choudhary hasn’t been able to attract the attention of the national selectors. When it came to drafting in a left-arm seamer into the mix for the Indian limited overs teams, youngster Khaleel Ahmed was preferred. Choudhary insists he hasn’t lost any sleep over the snub.
“I can’t lose hope already if a bowler has already made it to the team,” he says. “Every bowler has a different skill-set, so you can’t really say who’ll get an India call up and when. I just focus on improving myself each day, and it has worked for me. So that I’m satisfied."