Arvind Thiruvengadam
(Right Hand Batsman (Opener) and Medium-fast Bowler)
(Editors note: Actually, his last name is Thiruvengadan, but WVUCC has mis-spelled his name forever and the current spelling has been used in the PCA records, so we shall continue to address him as such.
Also, even though it looks blank, do click on the video below, it will play).
Introduction:
Arvind is a typically hardworking and committed cricketer from the subcontinent who thrives on being challenged. I always found him to be very likeable and very decent as a person. He is also very popular with the Indian community at WVU. He provided a much needed solution to the opening problems of WVU for the last two years.
Progress:
In 2006, Arvind was getting into the groove and made useful contributions all through the season. However, he was never able to cross the 20's and 30's, getting out every time he looked like he would make a big one. The thing which helped him this season was his consistent hard work during the net sessions. Whenever he played a poor stroke he would express anger at it and kept trying to overcome his technical problems. He is a whole hearted trier and that shows in his bowling and fielding as well. Being a top order batsman and one on whom the team heavily relied upon this season, Arvind took up the role with great sense of responsibility and purpose. Not only did he score runs, take crucial wickets, and scream the opposition out during the season, he also eased the pressure off the middle order by stabilizing the opening spot. His confidence level went up and that is what he needed to show his real talent. Scoring two half centuries, which included his career best 78 against the Blitzers, Arvind provided the team with solidity in the batting and also took up the role of bowling at the death when the captain needed him the most. He scored 293 runs and took 12 wickets along with 4 catches and 2 runouts. A great all round season!
My favorite Arvind stroke is the lofted cover drive for six.
My favorite Arvind innings of the season was his 78 against the Blitzers which included 8 fours and 4 sixes.
Technical Analysis
Arvind is extremely strong driving the ball in the cover region and lofting it with ease anywhere from the point region to the long off region. His bat comes down slightly slanted towards the off side making his offside play a treat to watch. On the other hand this also proves to be his downfall when it comes to balls pitching on middle and leg stump. Even though he has gotten better at it with time and now plays the ball well towards long on, he still gets into a tangle at times with that line. Most of his dismissals were due to this middle stump line and short of length deliveries. Due to this he loses balance at the crease and exposes his stumps too often. I think the problem is with his back foot which does not move across to cover the line of the ball, staying glued to its initial position, and thus the body falls over to the off side. His other technical weakness is the fulltoss, like most of us.
Mental Analysis:
Arvind covers up for his technical errors by presenting a strong mental batsman to reckon with for the bowlers. He scores off them whenever given the opportunity and does not let the constant talk from the opposition get to him. He is a confidence player and once his confidence is up he is a match winner in his own right.
What Else:
Just like Abhishek and Manish, Arvind too helps me a lot on the field with making certain decisions. Even though he is preoccupied with nagging the opposition and playing mind games with them, he keeps a close focus on the situation of the game and comes up with the right ideas. He is a great example for the younger cricketers when it comes to committment for the team and achieving success through hard work.
Marks out of Ten (9/10)
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