When opportunity knocks your door, you always respond! MD Nidheesh is a sportsman who knows how to respond. He has been in impressive form in 2017 when he took 14 wickets in just 6 matches for his domestic team, Kerala. However, the news of him being bought in the auction by Mumbai Indians came as a surprise for him. “I never thought that I will get a chance to play for Mumbai Indians, because I wasn’t able to complete the trials because of my injury.”

He believes in continuously working to improve his game. He is critical about his bowling and he makes sure he corrects his mistakes. He was a part of the MRF Pace Foundation and it has helped him improve his game. “I was in MRF for 1 year, in 2012. From MRF, I learnt a lot of things. I changed my action. It helped me improve my speed and control over the ball.”

The scenario is now different, the stage is different, and the expectations are higher. MD Nidheesh will be training under MI’s bowling coach Shane Bond and he thinks it will be a great opportunity to learn from all the experienced players.

Like every other player, MD Nidheesh has the excitement to step into the Wankhede stadium, packed with thousands of fans, who are tirelessly cheering for their players. “I’m very excited to be there, because we (India) won the world cup in Wankhede. The crowd and atmosphere are always great and it’s a great feeling.”

The squad which he will be joining consists of many star bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, who started his career with MI and is one of the top bowlers around the world at the moment. MD Nidheesh is excited about playing alongside the Yorker-specialist. “Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best bowlers in the world right now in limited-overs, and I feel I can learn a lot from Bumrah; how to bowl in the death overs, in the Powerplays, how to bowl yorkers. So, I am really waiting to see him to learn a lot of things from him. I know Hardik from before. We’ve been a part of BCCI camps in the past. I am really excited to see him and share the dressing room with him.”

Even though he will be playing in the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) for the first time, he isn’t afraid to bowl to any of the best batsmen in the tournament. He thinks bowling to them will get the best out of him and he likes to face such challenges.

However, at the same time, he is happy to have the support system provided at Mumbai Indians. “I’m already lucky to get a place in Mumbai Indians. I heard the management of Mumbai is very supportive. I’m very excited to come and learn a lot of things from the coaching staff.”

Sachin Tendulkar has always been a role model for MD Nidheesh, and the fact that he will be playing under the guidance of the legend made him speechless. “I don’t know how to express that. I’m running out of words. One of my dreams is coming true, playing under Sachin. It is my dream since the time I started playing cricket. From my childhood, I’ve been watching all the matches of India, so I’m really excited to be training under him.”

MD Nidheesh is a believer in hard work, and he’s certain that his hard work will pay off as it is the only key to success. The platform he has got will surely help him, but more than that, it will inspire him to achieve his dreams.