Stepping in Srinath shoes not easy: Salvi

Seemingly far more confident in fielding scribes’ queries now, than what he was before embarking for the Bangladesh tri-series, Salvi said he found the experience of playing for the national squad a matter of pride.

“Every experience of playing for India is a matter of pride. It’s a great feeling,” Salvi said, hours after returning from Dhaka.

Salvi, who got the selectors’ nod only after pace spearhead Javagal Srinath decided to take rest after a strenuous World Cup and left-handed paceman Ashish Nehra opted out because of an injury, said that he found stepping in Srinath’s shoes challenging.

“If I have to fill up his place, I need to perform,” he said.

Salvi was also effusive in his praise for skipper Saurav Ganguly. “He is a very good captain. He doesn’t make you feel that you are new to the team. He is quite helpful.”

Asked what went through his mind while playing the first match against Bangladesh, Salvi said “My thoughts were all positive. I knew I’ll have to perform”.

Salvi said he was keen to take part in the camp to be conducted by South African pacer Fanie de Villiers at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore soon.

“This is the off season. So, we all have to train hard,” he said.

On how he fine-tuned his game at the nets, Salvi said “I try to maintain a good line and length”.

Salvi, who considers aussie fast bowler Glenn McGrath as his role model, said he had not given much thought to India’s proposed tour Down Under towards the end of this year.

“Now, I am focussing on matches which are round the corner,” he said.