My dream is to play for the country, says 17-year-old Shubhang Hegde

At the tender age of 17, Shubhang Hegde has been turning heads in his direction with his performances on the field in the Karnataka Premier League.

Playing his second season for the Belagavi Panthers, Hegde has been superb so far, picking up wickets at regular intervals and keeping the opposition's run-rate in check.

Just a few months before playing his first season with the Panthers last year, Hegde was asked to bowl at the nets to the Indian players at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium prior to their Test against Australia. He bowled to the likes of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane and troubled them with his accurate left-arm spin.

After an incredible spell of bowling against the Ballari Tuskers this year in Mysuru, Hegde caught up with Sportskeeda for an interview.

Here are the excerpts:

Q. How has the KPL been so far and how has it helped you?

It's been a great team and a great franchise. As a 17 year old to keep getting opportunites, its a big thing. It's going really well and we're hoping to win the trophy again.

Q. Who has been your inspiration growing up and why so?

From the beginning, I've been saying that Daniel Vettori is my idol because of the way he bowls and bats.

Q. What has been your best cricketing memory so far?

Last year's final was the greatest memory of my life when i took two wickets and conceded only 8 runs in the final and we won. I will never forget that.

Q. How was the experience of bowling to the likes of Kohli and Rahane in the nets?

That was another great experience, bowing to such players. Bowling to them, I was able to see where I stand and from there, I have been improving myself.

Q. If you had to pick a dream 5 a side team from players you have watched growing up, what would your team be?

Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Daniel Vettori, Ravichandran Ashwin, and I feel MS Dhoni has to be there in the team.

Q. What are your goals for the future?

My goal, much like every other cricketer, is to play for the country.

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