I focussed on swing: Kalariya
First Published : 29 Feb 2012, 10:38
Last Modified : 29 Feb 2012, 10:38
Mumbai, Feb 28: 19-year-old all-rounder Rush Kalariya claimed a four-for on debut in Gujarat’s win over Saurashtra in the Inter-state one-day league match here. The lad was included in the senior squad after impressing in age-group cricket. The left-arm paceman made good use of the Wankhede wicket to rock the opposition on to the back-foot with three early wickets. A keen student of the game, Rush hopes to represent India at the Under-19 World Cup later this year.
Excerpts from his post-match media interaction:
On preparing for the match
I was told yesterday that I was playing [the next day] so I was mentally prepared. I was just concentrating on my basics, where to bowl and if my batting comes, I have to stay and play normal cricket. One of our pace bowlers was injured. Amit Singh was injured and the wicket is helpful for medium-pace bowler so we were going to play at least three seamers.
On taking four wickets on debut
Feels good to have taken four wickets on debut and that too in a one-day match.
On whether he had expected to perform as well as he did today
It was there at the back of my mind and it happened, so it has been good.
On whether this was his first game at the Wankhede
Yes. I have come to the Wankhede for the first time.
On Gujarat’s run in the tournament
We lost the first two matches – they were tight finishes. But we did well later.
On the lessons learnt from the sidelines
Sitting out also you can learn a lot. I watched and observed how my seniors were bowling and used that here. I was backed very well by everyone. They gave me confidence.
On the Wankhede wicket
The wicket was good. There is movement in the morning. I was given the new ball to bowl with. I kept one thing in mind – [that I needed] to draw them forward and concentrate on swing to get wickets. If one gets quick wickets in the beginning, then the opposition goes on the back-foot.
On his next assignment
I am at the Under-19 level so I will practice and prepare for the forthcoming U-19 World Cup.
On his journey so far
I have been representing Gujarat for six years. I represented them at the Under-15 level when I was 13 years old. I played Under-15 for two years, then played Under-16 for a year and later played Under-19 for three years. This is my first time in the senior league. I have been to the National Cricket Academy thrice. I have attended the West Zone camp twice and represented West Zone twice at the U-19 level.
On his time at the NCA
I spoke to Zaheer Khan there and also to the coaches. I spoke to the bowling coach Bharat Arun too. I got to learn a lot there.
On whether he received any advice from Zaheer Khan
He just told me to strengthen my basics and that I could learn the rest of the things like bowling the slower one automatically in a month’s time. It takes time to master the basics, so first work on them.
On becoming a fast bowler
I am an all-rounder, not just a fast bowler. I was always a fast bowler and I used to bowl well. At the Under-16 level, I have taken 35 wickets in five matches. Then at the Under-19 level, I picked 40 wickets in seven matches. That is how my journey started so then I thought I would play as a bowling all-rounder.
