Meet KM Asif - The brewing footballer who will represent CSK in IPL 2018

Keralite fast bowler KM Asif looked like an unknown name when it came up for bidding on the second morning of the IPL auction. Precisely, he was the 266th player to go under the hammer and not many franchises looked keen to buy him. But then, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming sprang a little surprise by raising the paddle and after a short exchange with Mumbai Indians, CSK acquired Asif for Rs 40 lakh.

However, it looked mysterious as to why would Chennai go for a player who doesn’t have any first-class cricket experience under his belt. All he has to show is five wickets from two matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the reputation as someone who can bowl over 145 kmph.

And it was this ability to bowl fast naturally impressed Jeff Thomson, the Australian pace legend. First spotted by Australian pacer Thompson four years ago in a camp in Kerala, Asif had initially dreamt of becoming a footballer. And it has indeed been a rag to riches story for the 24-year-old from Edavanna, a village in Malappuram district after bagging an INR 40 lakh contract with CSK.

Speaking from Perth, Thomson had said, “The boy is a natural. He can hit high speed quite effortlessly and I noticed him a couple of years ago during a clinic (organized by Kerala Cricket Association). If he gets proper training and maintains his workload then the boy can be a good asset to any team. He has got control over the ball.”

Fast-tracking from football field to CSK

Asif preferred football just like any other youngster from the soccer-mad district of Malappuram. The twist in the tale came in the shape of a chat with some of his friends, who referred him to Surendran, who is a teacher at the GV Raja Sports School.

Soon enough, the involvement of Biju George, a highly respected coach who has been with India U19, Kolkata Knight Riders and India women’s team, and Sanju Samson further hastened Asif’s progress as a fast bowler. In fact, Biju gave him an opportunity to bowl at the KKR nets in Bengaluru last season.