Badri to replace Sachin

Two consistent years since his India A debut, a successful stint in the Top End series in Australia and the recent Emerging Player tournament Down Under, Subramanium Badrinath was desperate, a national call long overdue.

On Monday though, the selectors finally picked the Tamil Nadu batsman for the India ODI squad to replace an injured Sachin Tendulkar.

The call left Badrinath more surprised than anyone else. Early this year, when the selectors opted for Bengal batsman Manoj Tiwary for the CB series in Australia, Badri had admitted to have lost hope. "I never thought I will be picked in such a manner but suddenly it all feels good," he said.

Just a day after squad for the one-day series in Sri Lanka was named, selection committee chairman Dilip Vengsarkar had called Badrinath. "I wasn't expecting a call from him but it was really good. He told me not to lose hope and just keep on performing. My hard work has finally paid off," Badrinath said.

Courtesy Yahoo