ENGLAND RISING STAR ANSARI IN SHOCK RETIREMENT
BOUNCING BACK The Delhi batsman has been the find of the IPL 2017 but he doesn’t want to put himself under pressure by thinking about an India spot
The Indian Premier League has become a platform for young cricketers to make a mark. Right from R Ashwin in the early days of the league, a lot of players have benefitted from the exposure it provides. This season, Mumbai Indians batsman Nitish Rana has been the story.
Coming off a below-par season in domestic cricket for Delhi, Rana has more than made up with his impressive run for his IPL team, Mumbai Indians. With 266 runs, he is No 4 on the list of top run-getters in the tournament. It is the highest among uncapped Indians.
Rana has also scored the most sixes – 16 -- in the tournament. Hindustan Times caught up with the current sensation. Excerpts from an interview: It’s a very proud feeling for any youngster and I’m going through the same kind of emotions. I would like to share an incident. I was playing a local tournament in Delhi. While I was batting, a friend told me: ‘You’ve been selected by MI (Mumbai Indians)’. I retorted, saying, ‘Listen, don’t play pranks with me; especially not something like this.’ Despite having had a good run in the domestic season then, I didn’t expect this one bit. MI was a very big team for me. Hence, I simply didn’t expect to get selected.
However, after I came out and got to know that MI had selected me, well, that was one feeling and today’s is another. I can’t compare the two or tell which one gave me more happiness.
Firstly, to be selected by such a big side, and then wait for nearly one-and-a-halfyears to get an opportunity and then perform in the manner I’ve done so far. It’s a very big moment for me. Well, I didn’t have a great Ranji season. So I just kept telling myself that I had a number of things in my control now and if I can keep myself mentally prepared, it wouldn’t be too long before I get a chance to prove myself in the IPL. I was just focussed. I had a terrible Ranji season and I could have been depressed. Especially if you compare the previous two seasons, the last season was nothing. A number of people supported me. It was tough. But then if I can’t perform, no one would play me. Well, I feel it’s very important to fail. Frankly speaking, I feel if a person doesn’t fail in life he won’t be able to learn anything. I knew something this big was on the cards. I failed a lot, people commented as well, but I ignored it and believed in myself, trusted my game and worked hard. Today, I’m getting the rewards for what I’ve put in. I haven’t thought of it this way but if someone wants to take it that way they’re welcome. Well I had a few technical issues. As my form dipped and I got out early in a couple of onedayers, Gambhir spoke to me regarding my technique. After coming over here, I spoke to Sachin sir and Mahela sir regarding the same and both said that Gambhir was right and from the first day I started practicing that way.
Well I have a low stance and there was a problem with me being side-on. They asked me to be upright and open up my shoulder a bit more to help me get a better look at the ball. I would definitely like to get a break. But at the same time I don’t want to think too far ahead. My aim is to live in the present and enjoy what’s happening right now and perform day after day, match after match.
If a person doesn’t fail in life he won’t learn. I failed, people commented, but I ignored and believed in myself. Despite having had a good domestic season, I didn’t expect this one bit. MI was a very big team for me. My aim is to live in the present and enjoy what’s happening and perform day after day, match after match