Bringing domestic workhorse D Siva Kumar in the spotlight

133 first-class wickets at an average of mere 18.19 in this 21st century is something you get to see very rarely and that too for a pacer in India might make him talk of the town but not in the case of Duvvarapu Siva Kumar, who hasn’t even played for India ‘A’ or featured in any IPL side and couldn’t even feature for his Zonal team.

Siva Kumar, who plays for Andhra in Ranji Trophy, made his first-class debut way back in 2009/10 season but has played only 42 games given the frequency of his injuries. Once he started working on his fitness, he turned up for most number of games for his side and during the 2014/15 Ranji season, where pacers made merry of the helpful tracks, Siva finished with 44 wickets at an impressive average of 14.25, the 3rd highest wicket-taker standing only behind Vinay Kumar and Shardul Thakur who picked 48 wickets apiece.

His impressive show helped the Andhra side make their way to quarter-finals and gave them a thrust to make it to elite group for the next season. However, even after such a strong season Siva was never aptly rewarded for his performance. He didn’t know why. “I don’t know why I never got any big name or why I wasn’t in newspapers, media and all even after that big Ranji Trophy season,” says a surprised and disappointed Siva Kumar.

The 27-year old’s strength is bowling in one line and planned length, his accuracy that pushed the batsmen into a shell produces wickets for him. Irrespective of formats, Siva has been an economical bowler. Even in the 2016/17 season, he picked up 23 wickets at an average of just 16.34. He thinks the only probable reason he never earned a big name in the domestic circuit could be playing for a team like Andhra which has played in Group C (Plate) in a majority of the seasons.

“I think being in Group C can be the only reason. Other states and group players get a name and chances after just one good season. For someone like us, we have to keep performing for 2-3 seasons,” said Siva Kumar taking exclusively to CricTracker.

His average of 18.20 is the best for any bowler in first-class cricket in India since his debut 2009/10 season and is the also the 6th best bowling average all over the world since then.

Best bowling average in first-class cricket in India since 2009/10: (Min: 50 wickets)

Best bowling average in first-class cricket since 2009/10: (Min: 100 wickets)

His role in the Andhra team isn’t limited to bowling but is also known for his skill with the bat. Despite having the technique of a top-order bat, over the years, Siva has batted in the middle and lower order for his side and has the ability to switch gears accordingly in the limited-overs formats as well. He has scored 1061 runs in FC at an average of 22.10 including a century and has a strike-rate of 93.28 in List A cricket where he has 500 runs at 21.73 in the 31 games he played.

The right-handed all-rounder was the part of the India U19 side in the 2008 World Cup has seen his teammates rising to supreme levels including Virat Kohli, who is the Indian captain in all three formats. 14 players from that squad of 15 who have continued professional cricket post the U19, have made it to an IPL team at least once. Siva Kumar though, is yet to feature in an IPL side and in fact, was never part of the IPL auctions and the closest he made to IPL was attending trails in the Deccan Chargers camp.

“Yes, it has been a disappointing for me. But it has been the same with me for the last 7-8 years and I am used to it,” says the 27-year old talking about his career so far.

Despite his good performances which never gave him the fame deserved, Siva Kumar continues to put his best out for Andhra and has no idea of quitting the game till the moment he remains fit enough to play it. “No, I will never leave it. I have been playing this sport for the last 16 years and I will play as long as possible because it is my passion.”

There are many Siva Kumars in the Indian domestic circuit and while we hope selectors and franchises do reward them, we will continue our quest to unearth them and bring them in the spotlight.