Improved as a Bowler by Bowling in the Royals' Nets: India U19 Pacer Naman Tiwari

If you're a young fast bowler hoping to break through to the big leagues, having the opportunity to grow under the greatest players in history would be an incredible experience that you will always appreciate. That looks to have been fulfilled by the 18-year-old Naman Tiwari. He recently played in the Tri-Nation U19 series in South Africa and was picked in the Indian squad for the 2024 ICC Men's U19 World Cup in which India has already entered into the semi-finals.

Who is Naman Tiwari?

Naman is a left-arm bowler from Lucknow who possesses both speed and variation in his game. The Rajasthan Royals initially noticed him in 2020 when he spoke with his coach Yash Sahni. His coach was impressed by his desire to perform at such a young age and pushed him to take part in Speedster, a Rajasthan Royals x Red Bull competition designed to identify the nation's top fast bowler. The winners of this tournament would have the opportunity to train under knowledgeable trainers, become net bowlers for the Royals, and bowl to players throughout the IPL season. During one such season, Naman rose through the ranks and started playing cricket for the Royals.

It is a special experience to play cricket in the nets and talk with the legends whom you watch on television. I got to learn a lot there and during this time I have also improved as a bowler
~Naman was quoted saying in an interview with Red Bull

Nurtured as he got the chance to bowl for RR -

The young player has been a crucial component of the Royals' net bowling system for the past three years. He bowls to a plethora of Indian and foreign players in the team and receives year-round development support from the coaches, not just during the IPL season. He also had the chance to speak with our former Fast Bowling Coach Lasith Malinga and his left-arm hero, Trent Boult, during his stay at the Royals camp the previous year. Being a member of an uncommon breed of left-arm quicks, this player from UP will try to extract as much information as he can from his idols and would aspire to become like them.

I have been following Trent Boult since the beginning. I used to watch him bowling in the nets but was a little nervous to approach him and talk to him. But when I was bowling in the nets, he came and encouraged me and it was a great moment for me. Whereas Lasith Malinga has been the best yorker bowler in the world and I had many questions from him on maintaining yorker and consistency. He gave many tips
~Naman added