Nayan Dilip Doshi created a storm much before Monty Panesar captured England’s imagination; today, far away from the national team, Nayan is looking to settle his own future.

The 30-year-old has returned to the same team with whom he made his first-class debut eight years ago, before shifting to county cricket. And though he’s yet to break into Saurashtra’s first XI this season, Nayan is hoping for another spin to his cricket story.

“Actually, I can have the best of both worlds. I still have offers from different counties who want me to play there. But here I am in Rajkot, my house just two minutes away, and looking to play first class cricket in India.

“I am registered there in England, and I can play first class here as well. I was the first-choice spinner for Saurashtra when I first played, and I am looking to force my way into the team again,” he says. “I took Surrey to a championship win and was the best bowler in Twenty20 and got my county cap with huge expectations. But then some things happened which weren’t in my control.

Learning from the past

“That’s when I decided not to bother much about it. Yes, I did make some mistakes in my career and I have learnt from those mistakes,” he says, reflecting on his mid-season switch from Surrey to Warwickshire in 2006, his subsequent jump to Derbyshire next year before requesting to be released from their contract and packed his bags back for Saurashtra.

“I have had a major shoulder surgery 15 months back and right now I am just looking to get back to bowling well. That’s my priority. I did a huge mistake by making little adjustments to my action and carry on with the injury.

“But Debu Mitra has been a big influence in my initial years and he’s seen me since I was 7-years old. Debu’s seen how I was before things went wrong for me. My dad just told me once, ‘if he can fix my problems, I am sure he’s the man for you’. I took the cue immediately,” he says.

Dilip Doshi is on a vacation accompanying his son, closely monitoring the rehabilitation that has also brought in former India physio John Gloster into the picture. Nayan realises he’s carrying a legacy, and at 30 he believes he still has some time left.

“Dilip Doshi is Dilip Joshi, I can’t be him. So many cricketers have told me that my father had the best bowling action. I have seen him in old videotapes, and I call them up to say they were right. My father indeed had the best bowling action. It’s both good and bad to be a famous father’s son. Thankfully, my father never speaks about my cricket to anyone or even discusses it with me. He’s only my father. I have my own coach and people to talk tactics and action.”

Nayan has been watching England play India in the current series, with keen interest in the bowling of Monty Panesar — whose current loss of form he surely must empathise with.