Salvi: 'Indian McGrath' whose career was cut short, later eclipsed his idol
Mumbai pacer Aavishkar Salvi, once dubbed the 'Indian Glenn McGrath', saw his promising international career derailed by injury after just four ODIs. Years later, he remarkably kept his idol, Glenn McGrath, out of the Delhi Daredevils playing XI.
Mumbai's Aavishkar Salvi, once hailed as the 'Indian Glenn McGrath' for his precise fast-medium bowling, saw a meteoric international rise tragically cut short by injury after just four ODIs. Yet, in a remarkable twist years later, Salvi went on to famously keep his idol, the legendary Glenn McGrath, out of the Delhi Daredevils playing XI during the 2009 IPL season.
Salvi’s distinctive upright action and economical style, openly modeled on the Australian pace icon, quickly made him a force domestically. His stellar 2002-03 Ranji Trophy campaign, where he claimed 28 wickets from six matches, underscored his undeniable talent.
The defining moment arrived during India A's 2003 Caribbean tour, where Salvi tore through opposition batting lineups, bagging an astonishing 29 wickets in just five three-day matches. This included a formidable 10-wicket haul against Jamaica, prompting then-coach Ashok Malhotra to praise his rare ability to unsettle West Indies batsmen.
National coach John Wright recognized his potential, noting Salvi as "a good prospect" with "a bit of pace, and it's good to see a youngster with a good height and action."
His sensational form earned him an ODI debut against Bangladesh in April 2003, where he immediately impressed with 2/15, setting the stage for India to bowl out their opponents for a mere 76. Test call-ups for New Zealand and the crucial Australia tour followed, signaling Salvi, at just 22, as the future of Indian pace.
However, fate intervened harshly; a split webbing and, more critically, an acute shoulder injury sustained against Australia at Eden Gardens in November 2003, tragically ended his senior international ambitions. His promising career was curtailed after just four ODIs, but he remained a stalwart for Mumbai, securing 169 first-class wickets.
The 2009 IPL provided an unforgettable chapter: Salvi regularly spearheaded the Delhi Daredevils attack, while his hero, Glenn McGrath, found himself warming the bench, unable to crack into the playing XI. Delhi management preferred a blend of other pacers, including Salvi, effectively showcasing his enduring quality.
Post-retirement, Salvi has transitioned seamlessly into coaching, proving equally impactful. He guided Punjab to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2023, ending a three-decade drought, and was a key bowling coach for the Indian women's team when they clinched the ODI World Cup in 2025, emphasizing smart bowling over sheer speed.