16 April,2016 08:29 AM IST | | Haresh Pandya
Saurashtra all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja heaped praise on 44-year-old leg-break bowler Pravin Tambe, who took the crucial wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and Faf du Plessis for Gujarat Lions against Rising Pune Supergiants at Rajkot on Thursday
Ravindra Jadeja and Pravin Tambe
Rajkot: Saurashtra all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja heaped praise on 44-year-old leg-break bowler Pravin Tambe, who took the crucial wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and Faf du Plessis for Gujarat Lions against Rising Pune Supergiants at Rajkot on Thursday.
Ravindra Jadeja and Pravin Tambe
"I like and enjoy bowling with him. We seem to complement each other," Jadeja told mid-day. "He is a senior, experienced bowler. He simply loves bowling. He never stops trying and his enthusiasm and commitment can rub off on others," said Jadeja adding that Tambe has always had a few tricks up his sleeve. "Whether bowling in the nets or in a match, he keeps experimenting and never allows the batsman to relax. There is a lesson for youngsters in his whole approach to cricket," said the southpaw.
"He is always ready to help and guide you. He sometimes tells me to bowl like this or bowl like that, to bowl here and bowl there. At the same time, he does not mind or hesitate when it comes to seeking guidance from others. It is a happy experience playing alongside him and bowling with him."
Going strong
Though Tambe has played only two first-class matches, he has increasingly proved his value in the game's latest and shortest version. If anything, the ageless Tambe has figured in 48 Twenty20 games and is still going strong regardless of his age.
He has proved to be an asset for whichever team he has played for, whether it is Gujarat Lions or the now-suspended Rajasthan Royals.
Looking at his fitness, bowling and overall performance, he gives one the impression that he is only getting better with age. And to think he started playing in the IPL only in May 2013, and made his first-class debut six months later.
"He bowled well against the Supergiants and took wickets when we needed them the most," said Jadeja. "Except on odd occasions, he did not allow batsmen to take undue liberties against him. I am sure he will come up with many more such performances."
