Abhishek: This is just a start
After guiding Jaipur to their first win of the edition, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala speaks exclusively to espnstar.com.
By Kashinath Bhattacharjee
It was two hours since the memorable victory. Yet, his cell-phone was busy. Got to be. After all, it was his efforts with the bat that has won his team the first match in the ongoing IPL. They were partying!
Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, the 27-year old boy from Bengal, was happy. Gone are the days of the rebel league when he was not allowed to play for Bengal for two years, 2007-08 and 2008-09. From the very beginning, he was considered “India prospect” by the critics in Bengal. But those two years were a great loss. Now, with Jaipur in the IPL, ‘JJ’ (a nickname fondly given to him by none other than Shane Warne) is on his way back to make a mark.
And he got a special mention from his childhood hero, too. At the end of the match, Shane Warne said, "The young players in our side like Abhishek Jhunjhunwala today fared well."
An elated ‘JJ’ spoke to espnstar.com on the night of earning the first victory for his team. Excerpts:
Q: Relieved after the first victory for the team?
A: Yeah, definitely. We were playing well, trying our best to register the first victory, but somehow it was not coming. Now that we have started winning, it would be better for us, I believe. At the same time, we all know that this is just a start we all were looking for and we have to continue to do the job in our next matches.
Q: And you are the Man of the match…
A: Well, it’s always good to contribute to the team’s cause. Not only me, it was a team effort. All of us contributed. After we had reached a decent 168, the bowlers were splendid. So, we all are happy.
Q: You play for Bengal. And your performances were enough to beat Kolkata. How does it feel?
A: It’s a dream come true for me. My first Man of the Match and that too against Kolkata! It was a special match for me and it will remain so. It’s really satisfying.
Q: Was there something ‘extra’ since you were playing against your teammates?
A: Obviously it was special to play against my teammates. And knowing them well helped me. I was a bit emotional, too.
Q: What did Shane Warne say?
A: He has always been a tremendous motivator. I was attracted to the Jaipur team, mainly because of him. He is such a hero for me since childhood -- the greatest spinner in the history of cricket. It’s an honour for me to share the same dressing room with him. He always backs us.
Q: Anything special from him after registering the first victory you were so keenly looking for?
A: Obviously he was very happy. When I came back to the dug, he said ‘well played’ and later, after I came back, everybody congratulated me in the dressing room.
Q: The way you played, it seemed you wanted to be there for as many overs as possible. Do you have a specific role in the middle order?
A: Yes, my role is defined. See, I am not strong enough like Yusuf Pathan to go for slogs. What I try to do is to pick up the gaps with my placement and timing. Shane Warne and Jeremy Snapes had told me repeatedly to work on my strengths. I know my game better now, aware of my strengths and weaknesses which were cluttered in my mind previously. So, I try to play my natural game and try to be there for as many overs as possible so that the team can get a good platform.
Q: Did you have any special target in your mind when you went out to bat?
A: No, except that I would have to try to be there for at least 15 overs or so.
Q: You had a fifty earlier in the tournament - 53 off 45 balls against Delhi, but could not ensure a win.
A: Yes, that was disappointing for all of us. In a team sport, what ultimately matters is a win for the team. That is why this 45 gave me more satisfaction. After three defeats in the first three matches, it is a fresh beginning. We want to keep up the good job and continue to do the same in the coming matches as well.
Powered by Disqus
Join us on Facebook