Exclusive: The world record for career milestones set by Shahbaz Nadeem’s test debut surpasses

Assume you have played your first Test match for India. Assume that you are the world record holder for List A cricket’s best bowling figures. In that case, what would be your best professional moment?

Let’s put an end to speculation and see what Shahbaz Nadeem, who has accomplished both, chooses.

“Getting the test cap is usually the first highlight. My favorite aspect of my career has been that. And during the latter phase of his career, Nadeem informed CricketNext, “the figures of 8/10 that created the world record in domestic cricket.”

Nadeem, who bowled 8/10 against Rajasthan during the 2018–19 season, retains the record for best figures in a List A match.

At the conclusion of the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy season, the Jharkhand spinner announced his retirement. Despite having a stellar domestic career and being tipped to become one of India’s greatest spinners, he only appeared in two Test matches for the country in an 18-month period that ran from October 2019 to February 2021.

Nadeem was the leading wicket-taker in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy with 51 wickets, but forget about the call-up to the Indian team—he was not picked to participate in the Irani Trophy with the rest of India.

“I thought I should have had a chance sooner, but you also need to determine whether or not I can make the Indian team.” Nadeem reflects on his prospects of making his debut for India. “You have to wait for your turn if the guy playing in the place you are competing for is doing well.”

Throughout three seasons, the left-arm spinner averaged over 40 wickets on the domestic circuit. But before he could play for India, he had to wait almost 15 years after making his local debut. If Nadeem had been a batter, he claims that playing for India would have been simpler.

“If you are doing well in your own country, it is not a guarantee that you would be selected for the Indian squad. Since they are more numerous, it would have been simpler if I had been a quick bowler or hitter. It becomes very challenging since the squad would seldom have more than one or two left-arm spinners. One leg spinner, one left-arm spinner, and one off-spinner are what a side will desire. Thus, it becomes challenging,” Nadeem said.

In the 2019 Test series against South Africa, he also made his debut. Nadeem was called up since he was close to Ranchi, the location, and Kuldeep Yadav had hurt his shoulder. Nadeem, nevertheless, treasures his first Test.

“On my debut, I bowled pretty well. But I thought that I had to bowl up to par in the second game I played in 2021 (against England). Due to the one and a half years that we did not play red ball format during COVID-19, I bowled at a 30 to 40 percent capacity.

Despite the difficulties, Nadeem believes that the red ball format should come first and that Indian spinners should concentrate more on the lengthier format rather than the more profitable T20s.

Red-ball cricket is a great game to continue playing since it puts your patience, ability, and all other qualities to the test. It aids in improving your understanding of your deficiencies and helps you address them.

It’s not necessary to turn the white ball all the time. You are allowed to bowl without yielding runs if you are bowling consistently. The skill level required to bowl with the red ball is less than that required here.

Additionally, Nadeem emphasizes leg spinners especially and requests more from that ideology in its extended version.

Because they perform better in T20 cricket, wrist spinners have a different way of thinking while playing that style. Instead of leg spin, you’ll see wrist spinners bowling more googly and flippers.

“A left-arm spinner is any spinner who takes wickets in domestic cricket.” The top 10 wicket-takers in the Ranji Trophy will not include any leg spinners. Every side has two left-arm spinners, albeit you very seldom encounter a couple off-spinners. Leg spinners and off-spinners need to be more prevalent in domestic teams, in my opinion. Amit Mishra is one player who has excelled in every format, although such kind of bowlers are rare these days.

In the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy season, left-arm spinners accounted for seven of the top ten wicket-takers; the other three were medium-pacers. The figures support Nadeem’s area of worry.

Nadeem is content with his profession, has already made arrangements for retirement, and wants to give new people an opportunity.

“I took on the tasks at hand, I gave it all I had, and the fruits of my labor were evident in everything I accomplished. It’s not like I’m not happy.

“Last year, I had a plan as well. Then I decided to give it another year. I had the impression that the selectors would not consider me given my age and the next generation. Furthermore, I’m not 22–23 like I used to be. My age is 34. It is preferable to give younger players an opportunity rather than risking your spot on the state squad. They will get some experience if they play for two or three years. I thus believed that it was appropriate to step away and allow others an opportunity.

Nadeem hopes to work as a freelance cricket coach for a franchise and ultimately become one.

“I haven’t given up playing cricket. That’s all I have knowledge about. I’ll be participating in T20 or T10 competitions all around the world. And in a few years, I’ll attempt to enter the coaching field. Sharing what I learn with other people is kind of a passion for me,” Nadeem said.