Chennai, Jan 23: Defending champions Rajasthan have won the Ranji Trophy 2011-12 final thanks to their mammoth first-innings lead against Tamil Nadu at Chepauk here today. Elevated to the Elite Group last season after winning the coveted domestic trophy, Rajasthan fought hard and smart to make it to the final this time around after taming the top teams in the league phase. Impressive performances from local players like Robin Bist and Rituraj Singh took the former Plate Group team to another well-deserved title. Captain Hrishikesh Kanitar spoke about his team in the post-match interaction with the media.
Excerpts:
On the win
The almighty works in mysterious ways.
On the team spirit
We are a close-knit unit. We enjoy each other’s success. We are there for each other’s failures. We never think we’ve won the game till the last ball [is bowled]. [Tamil Nadu] had a terrific batting side. Application was very necessary [for us to win the game].
On the Rajasthan cricketers
They are honest cricketers. They believe in hard work, staying two days at the wicket. We believe in performing rather than depending on our talent. We had a slow start; we just had to keep believing in ourselves, believing in the process, practice, training and all that.
On the players that have the potential to represent India
I don’t think we do not have players who can straightaway play for India. Not everyone is trying to play for India. They are trying to play one step higher. The selectors are watching what’s happening. They have been watching what happened last year also. Last and this year’s performance will add up to selection. Bist has had a terrific [season], Vineet [Saxena] has shown he’s gritty, Pankaj [Singh] has been doing well. [Ashok] Menaria was in the 'A' tour of Australia [...]. You can’t say how close a person is to getting his international cap; it depends on what the Indian team wants. [The Rajasthan boys are] doing well for themselves by performing every opportunity they get.
On the pitch
We played on seaming tracks; that helped us a lot. The wickets were challenging for batsmen this season. The ball was playing low; you needed a lot of time to get runs. It wasn’t a placid wicket as was made out to be.
On how the professionals gelled with local players
I believe everyone is equal; no-one is better than anybody else. Just because someone is performing doesn’t make him a better player. The whole team wins, the whole team loses.
