'Tried to exploit UP weaknesses'

In those three years, Mithun has more than made up for the late start, catching the eye with his pace – ‘between 140 and 145 kmph,’ according to Karnataka cricket coach Sanath Kumar – and movement, allied with control. “I was a bit nervous to start with,” Mithun said after his five- wicket haul against UP. “After two or three overs, I settled down and focused on bowling on the spot.”

Mithun gave the Uttar Pradesh batsmen a serious working over with judicious use of the short stuff at tremendous pace. “We have done a lot of video analysis and worked out where their weaknesses were. I tried to exploit those weaknesses,” he explained. Aware of the expectations he has already generated, the soft-spoken Vultures CC player observed, “I don’t look at it as pressure. Every single match is very important, I will give it my best shot.

“I am feeling great right now at having got five wickets; the first scalp (of Tanmay Srivastava) gave me the greatest joy simply because it was my first first-class wicket.”