<p>Aniket Choudhary spent a whole season of last IPL on the sidelines without getting a match. The paceman went almost unnoticed despite his burly figure. Less than a year later, Choudhary has returned to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium -- meaner and fitter -- not the red and black hues of RCB but in the sparkling whites of Rajasthan.</p>.<p>His performance with the ball for Rajasthan this Ranji Trophy season has been equally candescent. The left-arm seamer’s numbers are staggering with six five-wicket hauls in seven innings. The 28-year-old, who has so far picked up 47 wickets from nine games, credits his success to his meticulous preparation. </p>.<p>“I worked on my skills. I am using the cutters a lot whenever I felt the conditions haven’t been favourable for swing. I have developed a good in-swing. I am able to in-swing the ball at my will now but I can move it either way and that feels great. Of course, the pitches have been helpful too,” he said here on the eve of the quarterfinal game against Karnataka. </p>.<p>Half-way through the season Aniket was dejected when he went unsold in last month’s IPL auction. </p>.<p>With five wickets from as many games, it was an ordinary debut season for him two seasons ago with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Having failed to get a single game last season, Aniket was eager to make a mark in the league this time around. </p>.<p>“It was disheartening not to get picked. I have been around for a while now and when I played in IPL, I did bowl well. Like bowling a couple of maiden overs or a maiden over in the 19th over. I was confident that this time if I do well in Ranji I will be in demand,” he said. </p>.<p>But Aniket channelled his frustration into performance. He worked harder and there was a conscious effort to get fitter.</p>.<p>“In Rajasthan, I didn’t have enough exposure. But in IPL, being with stars like Virat Kohli, I realised a lot about fitness and diet. Diet is a very big thing.</p>.<p>“I tried to consume the right amount of carbohydrates and proteins. My body got into a better shape quickly. I told myself that there is no point in cribbing about not getting my chances. Even if there was some amount of frustration, I vented out by training harder. It’s a better approach than just thinking about something that’s not in your control,” Aniket offered. </p>.<p>Aniket called the game against Karnataka his biggest test of the year.</p>.<p>“They have won a couple of championships in the recent years. So if I do well against such a big team it’s good for me.</p>.<p>“It’s a televised match, so many will be watching me perform and I can’t wait to do well,” he hoped. </p>
<p>Aniket Choudhary spent a whole season of last IPL on the sidelines without getting a match. The paceman went almost unnoticed despite his burly figure. Less than a year later, Choudhary has returned to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium -- meaner and fitter -- not the red and black hues of RCB but in the sparkling whites of Rajasthan.</p>.<p>His performance with the ball for Rajasthan this Ranji Trophy season has been equally candescent. The left-arm seamer’s numbers are staggering with six five-wicket hauls in seven innings. The 28-year-old, who has so far picked up 47 wickets from nine games, credits his success to his meticulous preparation. </p>.<p>“I worked on my skills. I am using the cutters a lot whenever I felt the conditions haven’t been favourable for swing. I have developed a good in-swing. I am able to in-swing the ball at my will now but I can move it either way and that feels great. Of course, the pitches have been helpful too,” he said here on the eve of the quarterfinal game against Karnataka. </p>.<p>Half-way through the season Aniket was dejected when he went unsold in last month’s IPL auction. </p>.<p>With five wickets from as many games, it was an ordinary debut season for him two seasons ago with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Having failed to get a single game last season, Aniket was eager to make a mark in the league this time around. </p>.<p>“It was disheartening not to get picked. I have been around for a while now and when I played in IPL, I did bowl well. Like bowling a couple of maiden overs or a maiden over in the 19th over. I was confident that this time if I do well in Ranji I will be in demand,” he said. </p>.<p>But Aniket channelled his frustration into performance. He worked harder and there was a conscious effort to get fitter.</p>.<p>“In Rajasthan, I didn’t have enough exposure. But in IPL, being with stars like Virat Kohli, I realised a lot about fitness and diet. Diet is a very big thing.</p>.<p>“I tried to consume the right amount of carbohydrates and proteins. My body got into a better shape quickly. I told myself that there is no point in cribbing about not getting my chances. Even if there was some amount of frustration, I vented out by training harder. It’s a better approach than just thinking about something that’s not in your control,” Aniket offered. </p>.<p>Aniket called the game against Karnataka his biggest test of the year.</p>.<p>“They have won a couple of championships in the recent years. So if I do well against such a big team it’s good for me.</p>.<p>“It’s a televised match, so many will be watching me perform and I can’t wait to do well,” he hoped. </p>
