OTD: Birthday of Indian pace bowling legend Javagal Srinath

August 31, 1969- birthday of one Javagal Srinath, one of the best fast bowlers to ever play for Team India. Before the era of Zaheer Khan, Asish Nehra, or Ishan Sharma, Srinath was the spearhead of India's pace attack. His pair with Venkatesh Prasad became a formidable force for the Men in Blue.

The pacer from Karnataka was in his prime in 1998. With his strong shoulder action and ability to produce leg cutters and the slower deliveries, he introduced himself to the world of cricket as a wicket-taking bowler. At that time, he was considered the fastest bowler for India to play on international stages. From late 1998, in a span of 12 months, he took 50 wickets in five series at 29.6. During 1991-92, in the initial stage of Srinath's international career, he picked ten wickets in the five-Test series in Australia in 1991-92.

He repeated his performance against South Africa by clinching 12 from three matches, including six in the draw in Cape Town. In 1996, when South Africa visited India, the right-handed bowler harvested 17 from three tests. In the same year, when India traveled to South Africa, the medium pacer picked up 18 in the series, including 7 wickets in Johannesburg.

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South Africa was Javagal's happy hunting ground 

In his overall Test career, Javagal captured 236 wickets in 67 matches and 121 innings. In ODIs, the pacer clinched 315 scalps in 229 matches. After retiring from international cricket, Javagal Srinath developed himself as an ICC match referee to grace the gentleman's game more. 

He played four World Cups for India in his entire career. Including his best in 2003. In 2003, he took 16 wickets at 23 in India's run to the final, which marked his last international outing. Srinath announced his retirement in 2003 and then went on to become a match referee.