The story of Mattakandathil Dinesan Nidheesh is one carved not from privilege, but from the hard miles of perseverance. From the serene backwaters of Kanjiramattom in Ernakulam to becoming the spearhead of Kerala's Ranji Trophy attack, Nidheesh's rise is a testament to the power of a dream ignited by a single moment of national glory.
The Spark in a Fishing Hamlet
Growing up in a nondescript fishing village, young Nidheesh's world revolved around the water, football, and films. His father, Dinesan, was a fisherman, and his mother, Sheela, sold the catch in local markets. Cricket seemed a distant universe. That changed in 2007 when he watched S Sreesanth take the iconic catch to win the T20 World Cup for India in Johannesburg. "I still remember that catch," Nidheesh recalls. "Something inside me lit up." With a borrowed ball on sandy grounds, he began his journey, mimicking actions from tapes long before he understood the technical jargon.
Guidance from a Hero and Relentless Work Ethic
The pandemic lockdown, which halted the world, became a turning point for Nidheesh. Sreesanth invited the aspiring pacer to his terrace in Kochi for coaching sessions. "I honed my skills as a fast bowler on that terrace under Sreesanth's guidance," he says. They dissected wrist positions, seam angles, and the art of swing. This dedication forged a workhorse with a craftsman's touch. Kerala selector P Prashant praises his "impeccable work ethic", while teammate Salman Nizar calls him a consummate professional who gives over 100%.
Rewriting the Script: Late Bloomer, Big Impact
Now 34, Nidheesh is enjoying a stellar late bloom. His performances have been central to Kerala's recent success. In the previous Ranji season, where Kerala made their maiden final, he took 27 wickets in 8 matches. This season, his impact has been even more pronounced, with 21 wickets in just five matches. His victims include big names like Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. His dismissal of Shaw in the opener was a masterclass: setting him up with outswingers before sealing the deal with a sharp inswinger for a duck.
His climb was methodical: from academies in Eroor and Tripunithura to learning from Lasith Malinga at Mumbai Indians and serving as a net bowler for Rajasthan Royals. Every time he runs in now, he has a unique quirk—looking skyward with clasped hands. "It helps me reset," he explains, a grounding ritual for the boy from the backwaters who believed a catch could change a life. For M D Nidheesh, it absolutely did.
