Meet Nuwan Seneviratne, The Throwdown Specialist Behind Team India's Improved Performance Against Shaheen Afridi

In the recent Asia Cup Super 4 match between India and Pakistan, Rohit Sharma's effortless flick for a six over backward square leg against left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi caught everyone's attention. While the cameras zoomed in on Rohit's masterful shot, they also captured a figure standing on the Indian dressing room balcony, a figure that left even hardcore cricket enthusiasts puzzled. That figure is none other than Nuwan Seneviratne, the left-arm throwdown specialist of the Indian cricket team, and his role is instrumental in helping Indian batters face the threat posed by left-arm pacers like Shaheen Afridi.

India captain Rohit Sharma taking throwdowns from left arm specialist Nuwan Seneviratne during the team's optional nets pic.twitter.com/JMOwM9hT06 — Ayan (@ayan_acharya13) February 28, 2023

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A Remarkable Journey from Obscurity to the Indian Team

Nuwan Seneviratne's cricketing journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His own cricket career in Sri Lanka was relatively obscure, limited to just two First-Class matches. However, it was his ability to generate extreme pace and acute angles with his left-arm throwdowns that caught the attention of senior Indian batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They recognized that Seneviratne's skills could significantly aid them in handling left-arm pacers effectively during actual matches.

But Seneviratne's path to becoming an integral part of the Indian cricket team was far from straightforward. At one point, he found himself uncertain about his future and worked as a school van driver in Colombo to make ends meet. During his free time, Seneviratne returned to his old club, the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Maitland.

Revenge taken _ perfect_.............
Father of Pull shot _
Rohit Sharma #BHAvsPAK #INDvPAK #RohitSharma #AsiaCup2023 Asia Cup Colombo pic.twitter.com/ciK0Ypruem — Kamal Malik (@kamalmalik0122) September 11, 2023

A Fateful Encounter with Charith Senanayake

It was during one of his visits to NCC in 2015 that Seneviratne had a fateful encounter with former Sri Lankan batsman Charith Senanayake. Senanayake, who was the team's manager at the time, was immediately impressed by Seneviratne's skills and work ethic. Seneviratne's ability to trouble batters with his pace during throwdown sessions caught Senanayake's eye.

Senanayake believed that Seneviratne had genuine skill and recommended him to Roy Dias, a former stylish Lankan batsman. Dias accommodated Seneviratne in the support staff of the Sri Lanka 'A' team in 2016 when they toured India. Seneviratne later returned to the senior team in the same year, helping them during the tour to England.

Catching the Eye of Indian Cricket

However, fate had grander plans for Seneviratne. Without a regular contract with the Sri Lanka side, he was called upon to assist the Indian team at nets during their 2017 tour of Sri Lanka. During a training session, Seneviratne left a mark by hitting Virat Kohli and troubling him with his pace and angles.

After the session, the Indian team manager approached Charith Senanayake for more information about the local throwdown specialist. This led to a brief interview, and within a few months, Nuwan Seneviratne found himself on a flight to India as the team's left-arm throwdown specialist.

Dedication and Recognition

Seneviratne's journey from obscurity to becoming an essential part of Team India is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment. He spent countless hours at the gym to strengthen his throwing arm and continuously worked on improving his skill set. His work ethic and dedication to his job impressed not only Virat Kohli but also the entire India management.

Today, Seneviratne can look back with satisfaction as Indian batsmen confidently face the challenges posed by left-arm pacers, thanks in no small part to his tireless efforts. While his success is now evident, it is essential to remember the hours of hard work and dedication that brought Nuwan Seneviratne to where he is today, making him an invaluable asset to Team India.

Nuwan Seneviratne's story is a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, and the recognition of genuine talent, which transcends borders and brings together the cricketing world. His journey from obscurity to becoming a crucial part of Team India is a remarkable tale of perseverance and passion.