Vidwath Kaverappa.
Credit: DH Photo/ Krishnakumar PS
Bengaluru: Having returned from a stress fracture and a shin injury and featuring just in his second Ranji Trophy game since February 2024, Vidwath Kaverappa clocked a successful Karnataka comeback against Goa at the KSCA Navule Stadium in Shivamogga.
While the 26-year-old conceded that the body felt a little rusty, there were no signs of discomfort as he gradually kept on amping up his speeds as the game progressed.
“I was a little bit rusty. It (bowling) wasn’t up to my satisfaction,” Vidwath said after Karnataka’s game against Goa ended in a draw.
Vidwath, with some assistance from overcast conditions and the surface, kept it simple and went to the unerring line and length that has always brought him success in his career.
The choice of the fourth-stump mantra resulted in a sixth first-class five-wicket haul and also a crucial first-innings lead for Karnataka.
However, the fruits in Shivamogga came from the seeds that were sown at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
“It is a part of life (injuries). Whenever you are going through a good phase, a bad phase is bound to come. It is just how you react to the situation. I knew I wanted to work on a few things (pace, control), so I took it as an off-season and was working at the NCA, which helped me out.”
Vidwath has also come to terms with the fact that a setback is never far away, which has helped him take nothing for granted. Not even his spot in the Karnataka side, where he is among the most important assets.
“Wasn’t in the best of touches (last season), coming back from a long injury. There are other people as well who are fighting for that spot to represent the team. So I knew I had to work my way back. I was just waiting for the Ranji Trophy to start and it felt good to contribute to the team and get three points on the board.”
When asked about his personal evaluation of bowling 31 overs across both innings after a long break, Vidwath said that the body is still not at 100 per cent yet.
“I think I am somewhere around 80% (in terms of fitness).”