Blessed to get maiden India call-up: Siddharth Kaul

Dharamsala [India], December 8 (ANI): Medium-pacer Siddharth Kaul, who recently earned a maiden call-up in the national squad for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, on Friday was elated on being chosen and said that his experience in domestic cricket in last five years has helped in improving his bowling tremendously.

The uncapped pacer from Punjab was earlier named in the 15-man ODI squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka, beginning December 13 in Dharamsala.

Reflecting on the same, Kaul revealed he went numb when told about the India selection during a Ranji Trophy match against Services last month.

"It is a great feeling I can't describe what it is. Thank you for calling me to this media interaction. I got silent when I was told about the selection. I just kept running and bowling, did not know what was happening around me. I feel blessed that I have got this call-up," he said.

The 27-year-old, however, said that he is not thinking too much about the competition and is just focusing on going with the same mindset that helped him do well in domestic circuit.

"I am not thinking too much about that (the competition). It is an honour to be picked for India, a dream come true. I am going into the series with a mindset that helped me do well in domestic cricket, IPL and India. I am ready to do what the team demands from me," Kaul said.

Kaul, who was a part of the 2008 U-19 World Cup winning team, which was led by Kohli, has bagged a total of 175 wickets in 50 first-class matches he played besides also taking 98 scalps from 52 List A (domestic 50- overs) games.

He has also been a part of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders.

And Kaul admitted that playing in IPL and for India A have played a major role in his overall development as a bowler.

"I have been picked in the IPL, India A and I have performed well. The experience in domestic cricket in the last five years also helped my bowling, taught me how to bowl in certain circumstances. It has helped in my growth," he said.

Meanwhile, skipper Virat Kohli has been rested for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka as well as the for the three-match T20I series which follows.

Shreyas Iyer, who made his T20I debut against New Zealand last month, has also been called-up for the first time in the ODI side and is expected to bat in Kohli's place at number three.