Mumbai, Dec 11: With an impressive nine-wicket haul in the second innings, Ankeet Chavan injected excitement into Mumbai’s match against Punjab on fourth day of the game. He spun the opposition out for 59 in the latter half of the day, after Mumbai had conceded a first innings lead to the table-toppers. Although the match ended in a draw, the left-arm spinner dazzled the audience with his inspired performance at the Wankhede Stadium.
Speaking to media after the match, Chavan spoke reflected on the day’s play.
Excerpts from his media interaction:
On his career-best haul
It is the first time that I have got a fiver and went on to get nine wickets. I got three in the first innings as well.
On the wicket
It was turning a little, but not like the first innings. But I got a little bit of turn and things happened.
On the turn of events after Punjab commenced their second innings
We were just keeping it tight initially. Our plan was to keep it tight and not give them runs. We got three-four wickets early on, so we thought that we can have this game because we had good time at our hands at that time.
On whether he has been doing something differently
Not really, I have just been backing myself and bowling. I had the confidence of the last game. I was just sticking to the same thing.
I just kept backing myself. Everyone gave me a pep talk. Rohit Sharma told me to just back my instincts and not worry about anything and just keep bowling.
On whether during the tea break he thought something so dramatic was going to happen
No, not really. Nobody thought about this. It just happened. Had we won the game, it would have been really different. Chasing 155 in 10-odd overs, because there were no field restrictions [and] all the players [were] on the boundary it was a little difficult to get that.
On whether it was frustrating that he wasn’t getting much support from the other end
It’s not frustrating. As long as the wickets are falling, it doesn’t matter who takes it, as long as the team is doing good. It is just a matter of time when the wickets are falling, we get them out early and then we go and chase.
On whether he was expecting two miracles in one day when he walked out to bat while chasing
I was quite positive, but it didn’t happen. I was trying the best from my side.
On the tough road ahead
Obviously the pressure is on. We just need to stick together and back ourselves and keep going forward.
On getting bowling tips from teammates
Ramesh [Powar] helps me every now and then. Even while I am bowling, standing at mid-on he gives me tips about what to bowl, and tells me to try various things. It is really good to get good support from everyone.
On playing for Mumbai
It feels great to play for the Mumbai team. Sharing the dressing room with big people like Sachin [Tendulkar] and Ajit [Agarkar], Ramesh [Powar] and others feels nice.
On the his journey in the Ranji Trophy
Last year was my first full season. I debuted in 2008-09, was dropped and came back last year. I got a few games, got a hundred and got four wickets against Punjab last year. From there it started going well for me. The start of this season wasn’t so well. In the two games that I played [initially] I didn’t get as many wickets as I expected, but then in the last game I got four wickets and in this game I got a few more and it gave me good confidence. I am just looking forward to do well.
On spending time with Rahul Dravid in the IPL
He backs every player. He has always told me, back yourself, everything will happen, just be positive about what you have, that’s it. Just back yourself.
