Ahmedabad, Nov 1: New Zealand opening batsman Jesse Ryder on Monday said that enjoying one’s game is the key to playing against India in their own backyard.
He believes in the simple approach - see the ball, hit the ball - as it has paid rich dividends in the past.
Excerpts from an interview.
On playing in the sub-continent
I have played only a few Tests in the sub-continent before this but this will be one of the tougher challenges. The Indians are obviously peaking at this moment and playing great cricket - they beat the Aussies.
On his preparation going into the series
I go back and watch [previous] innings against India and see what I did well over there, what mental frame I was in then. It’s a big confidence booster to know you have hit 200 against these guys. But [playing on their] home turf is going to be different challenge. My preparation [involves] keeping [things] simple - see the ball, hit the ball, keep things in control. My main goal is to just to stick to my game plan. The way it’s going in the nets, I don’t see any reason why I can’t continue like that and reproduce it in the match.
I can see the concentration levels and [my] focus has increased. I love the game and [know] how much I want to play for [my] country. These are the moments you want to play cricket for - you come to India and play them in their conditions against the amazing team they have at the moment.
On being questioned about his off-field issues
It does get tiring when you come into big series like this and people focus on my negatives. It’s been like that right through my career. But I have brought it upon myself by the way I have behaved. That’s the past - I am trying to move on, become a better player and become a better person.
On the lessons he has learnt
I have learnt that enjoying your cricket is the big key. Every time I step on to the cricket field I enjoy myself and I realise that’s where I want to be – out there playing. As long as I can keep enjoying and learning from coaches, I will be all right. I am now looking forward to the challenge of playing against India in India.
Every time I go out to bat it’s [up to] me to perform. What the press thinks or others think doesn’t affect me when I am out there. There is no great pressure from the negative publicity; half of it’s true, half of it’s not. I can only continue playing my game and let the bat to do the talking.
On Sachin Tendulkar
That’s who you want to be. You want to be the player that wins Test matches for your country, break records and play long and well.
On the possibility of facing reverse swing
I watched Zaheer [Khan] and the boys swinging it against the Aussies. It will be a good challenge to get in there and face [swing bowling].
On the forecast for the series
It’s a tough one to predict. We are just trying to play to our best ability and give [India] a good challenge. We are very solid through the middle order - we want to give a good fight.
