Rising Indian star Nathu Singh wants to be the fastest bowler in the world

Nathu Singh hopes to bowl at speeds above 160 kph (Image courtesy: Indian Express)

20-year-old fast bowler Nathu Singh is an ambitious young man and wants to go on to become the fastest bowler in the world. Nathu will be featuring in Friday's practice match between South Africa and Board President's XI.

Nathu was speaking to Wisden India about his journey so far and what he hopes to achieve in the future. He earned a call to the Board President's XI team after Indian team selector Sandeep Patil mentioned seeing an “extra spark and extra talent” in the young bowler.

“I can bowl at 140-plus. My average speed is about 140. I definitely want to improve my speed. Like I said, I want to be the fastest bowler in the world. I want to bowl at 160-plus,” Nathu said.

Although he sounds very confident with regards to his future, he is focused on wanting to stay fit in his career so that he does not have to compromise on reducing his pace later on in his career. Many promising Indian fast bowlers have had to reduce their pace to increase their longevity in the game.

The young bowler from Rajasthan had humble beginnings and struggled to become a cricketer. He speaks proudly of the sacrifice his father had to make to help him reach where he has.

“I’m from a poor family, and my parents worked really hard. Whatever my dad has earned, he spent on putting me in academies,” Nathu said.

It is a great achievement for Nathu to make it to the Board President's XI considering that he only made his Ranji debut earlier this season against Delhi. In the four matches he has played so far, he has picked up 12 wickets at an average of 29.33. Seven of his wickets came in the second innings of his debut Ranji match.

He will be eagerly looking forward to playing against high-quality opposition in South Africa – the Number 1 Test side.

“At first I couldn’t believe that I had been selected, but they showed me the list and that’s how I believed it. I was extremely happy naturally. I had no idea the selectors had me in mind,” he stated.

Nathu will hope to trouble the South Africa with his pace when the practice match starts tomorrow at the Brabourne Stadium. Maybe his young age can be an advantage as he will look to impress the selectors more than he already has and eventually earn a call-up to the national squad.

“I have not thought anything about it except that whichever batsman comes in front of me, I have to bowl well to them. I can’t plan for the South African batsmen as such. What feels right on the ground that day, I’ll bowl in that fashion,” Nathu said.