How do you feel about stepping into Gavaskar’s shoes as India’s opener? ‘Sunnybhai was an institution, Tam just a learner, If can bat at least 10 percent like Sumnybbai did, I would consider myself great. He was a legend and a great man. *It is said that you had a very limited repertoire of strokes when you made your debut…
It was just a lack of match practice. Idid not have the exposure so I went to play matches at Delhi and also to Lucknow to participate in the Sheeshmahal toumnament. These match exposures gave me the confidence to display my strokes.
*So it was these matches that made you an aggressive batsman…
‘The exposure in these tournaments totally changed my technique. Of course, I also spent more hours practicing in the nets, The transition was slow, it wasn’t as if I suddenly began to unleash my shots from one particular match onwards. The more matches I played the more strokes I began to display.
*To what, or to whom, do you attribute your success?
Behind my success in cricket there is only cone man and that is my father. It is only because of him that I am playing cricket. Cricket was a passion for him. He wanted me to become a cricketer. He gave me all ‘encouragement. Four years ago he passed away. I wanted to give something back to him for the encouragement and love he gave me and the only way I could do that is to continue playing cricket, It is only for him and to keep alive his memory, that 1 am playing this game. My entire game is dedicated to him.
“Injuries have kept you out of several matches. This is normally an indicator of poor physical fitness…
Yes, I have been lagging slightly in physical fitness. But that ties nothing to do with my injuries. Injuries can happen to anyone, Against West Indies I had a double fracture in my thumb and couldn’t play the series now I give a lot of importance to fitness and work very hard every day to maintain it
*You made your debut against the ‘West Indies, a team which had the best pace attack in the world. Were you nervous when you went out to bat?
I was not nervous but I played on a very bad wicket at Ahmedabad and it wasa very Tow scoring match which lasted only four days,
*Now that you have played almost all the top pacers in the world, whom do you rate as the best?
In all respects it is Richard Hadlee, His movement off the pitch is marvelous. Undoubtedly he is the best. admire him a lot.
*Yon played in England for a short while…
No, I did not. I only went there as a member of the Indian under19 team under Ravi Shastri in 198283. I got a couple of ‘good knocks there.
*Were these the knocks that fetched you a place in the Indian team?
No. I presume I was selected because of my two good knocks against the touring West Indies one for the North Zone in which I got a century and the other for the Board President’s XI in which I got about 70 odd.
*One notices that after you are well set, you generally tend to throw away your wicket, lofting to long off…
No, not nowadays. Yes. I did throw away my wicket a couple of times during the World Cup but then I analyzed the problem and a lot of senior players advised me on how to rectify this defect.
*How far has the advice of the senior players helped you in your game?
Dilipbhai and Kapilbhai their advice time and again has been a source of inspiration. They have told me that you should not be looking for sympathy in this game. It is a hard game and you’ll have to fight all the way to be in the team on merit. I have followed their advice,
“How do you feel about having Srikant as your opening partner?
He is a great guy. Since he is the most aggressive batsman in the game today, he eases off the pressure, He is a lovable character and is like an elder brother to me.
*Do you prefer opening the innings or going in one down?
It is not my preference that is important. Tam willing to bat wherever they need me.
I love playing both spin and pace sol don’t have a problem.
*Now that you have established yourself as an aggressive batsman one would presume you prefer one day cricket to Test matches?
No, love cricket as a game. I am least bothered whether it is a one day match or a Test. The only difference is, in a one day match I will have to convert the good balls for a scoring stroke and pile up runs quickly. I have no problem in adjusting with both one day cricket and Test matches.
*Now that you are married how are cricket and family life getting along together?
After my father’s death the greatest source of inspiration to me has been my wife, Nayjot. Yes, she shares even my name,
*How do you feel on scoring your first test century?
I am very happy and the century is dedicated to my father.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 7, 1989
