Can you try and describe your game, your approach to cricket?
Well, I always try to play according to the situation; whatever it demands. For instance, in Twenty20 you've always to accelerate right from the first ball. Although it's expected of batsmen to score quickly in one-day cricket, too, you've got to have some patience also. And four-day cricket is more about patience and how you plan your innings. So it depends both on the nature of the game as well as the prevailing situation.
Are you happy with the kind of technique you've?
No. I've to improve a lot. You may not require a sound or perfect technique for Twenty20 but you should be technically correct when it comes to one-day cricket, four-day cricket and five-day Test matches. So I've still been working on my technique. Seniors cricketers and coaches have detected my shortcomings and suggested certain corrections in my technique and footwork. So I want to try to improve them in the off season.
Do you relish facing fast bowlers or spinners?
I always love to play fast bowlers. I'm a natural stroke-maker. So I enjoy playing fast bowling more than spin bowling.
Do you tend to be choosy about a particular number in the batting line-up?
No, I feel comfortable batting at any number in the order. I started my career as an opener but later I began batting in the middle-order. But I'm ready to bat anywhere in the batting order. Any particular or special slot in the batting order doesn't really matter to me personally. I've opened for Mumbai and also batted at No. 3, No. 4 and even at No. 8.
Which are the shots that you like to play often?
Square-cut, straight-drive and pull. I play them very often. Basically I love to play on the backfoot rather than on the frontfoot. Today, when almost all the teams are packed with four or five fast bowlers, you've to be very strong on the backfoot to tackle them properly.
Could you single out a particular bowler who may have tested you severely and given you torrid time at the crease?
Yes, it has to be Australia's World Cup hero Shaun Tait. I faced him Down Under this year while playing for India A against Australia A. He was bowling very, very fast. It was the first time in my career that I was facing such a big and extremely quick bowler. As you know, his action is also a bit awkward. He was not only very quick but was also lifting the ball dangerously. Having never faced anything like that in my career, it took me some time to adjust my game and face Tait with some degree of confidence.
But I must admit that by the time I managed to adjust my game to Tait's bowling, I had already got one of his thunderbolts on my helmet! Of course, I did play him more confidently and comfortably later on after adjusting my technique and footwork to the pace he was generating. But that was the only time when I really felt I was having trouble facing a bowler. In fact, I was truly tested.
Any particular innings that you cherish the most?
Actually there have been too many to single out a particular one. However, I would like to mention my 142 against North Zone in the Deodhar Trophy last year. It marked a turning point of sorts in my career, so to say. I was very happy playing that innings in front of the national selector Bhupinder Singh. My endeavour was rewarded, too, as I was selected in the Board President's XI against England and also for India A for the Eurasia Cup in Abu Dhabi.
When you began playing cricket, did you expect to reach thus far in your career in such a short time?
There was always a dream, just like any Indian cricketer's, to play for the country. I naturally had a dream of representing India. That dream has long been fulfilled as I've represented India in junior tournaments. Of course, now I want to make it to Team India. But, yes, I never expected that I would play for the country so early in my career. Of course, I wasn't unnecessarily worried about playing for India. My aim was just to go there and perform and leave the rest to the destiny.
Talking about making it to Team India, don't you think there is a lot of competition now for every single space?
Competition is always a good sign. It keeps a player on tenterhooks and makes him perform better and better. But I just want to keep playing and performing to the best of my ability without bothering about anything. What I'm sure and confident about is that if I continue to perform well, opportunities will definitely come my way at the right time. And when they actually come, I'll ensure that I don't squander them.
You must be considering yourself fortunate enough to have made it to the powerful Mumbai side which has always had so many Indian stars in its ranks...
Yes, I think I'm very lucky in this regard. It's usually very difficult to get into the Mumbai side, howsoever talented you are, because there are already so many established players. In the present Mumbai team, too, you've Indian stars like Tendulkar, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, Romesh Powar and Wasim Jaffer, among others.
How is your experience playing with such famous Indian cricketers?
It's a great feeling to be playing with all these big players. They boost the confidence of every young player in the side. Importantly, they never see themselves as different or star cricketers. They always make you feel comfortable and at home.
How have your studies been going?
I've passed the 11th Standard but I'm unable to take examinations of the 12th Standard because of my almost invariably busy cricket schedule. I plan to take the 12th Standard examinations in October, if I'm free from my cricket for a while.
What's your ambition or goal as a student?
I want to complete at least my graduation.
How have you been as a student?
Not more than 50-50. I mean you can call me an average student only. Of course, from Standard I to Standard VIII, I always got distinction - never secured less than 75 per cent of marks. But as I started playing more and more cricket, I began to give less and less time to my studies for obvious reasons.
Any favourite subjects?
English and Marathi.
What are your other hobbies and interests?
Listening to music and playing table tennis and volleyball.
What type of music generally appeals to you?
I love to listen to any kind of music. I've no special choice in music. I listen to music to relax a bit.
How is your reading habit?
I'm not a serious reader. It's not that I don't have interest in reading. Rather I don't have time. But I read general stuff whenever I get some time. I read newspapers and books of any type. But not much, frankly speaking.
How is the support from your family in the development of your cricket career?
They've always supported me to the hilt. My parents, grandfather and uncles have always encouraged me to pursue my cricket. They've helped me in every possible way. They've always backed me right from the beginning. I doubt if I would have developed and progressed thus far without their backing and support. Of course, they're always keen to see me on television whenever the match I'm playing is telecast live!
Reportage: Haresh Pandya
Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Design: Imran Shaikh
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