Mumbai, Jan 31: Although Maharashtra lost the Cooch Behar Under-19 Trophy to Mumbai, they ended the tournament boasting the highest run-getter and highest wicket-taker of the competition. The side performed consistently well throughout the season after making a comeback into the Elite group. Maharashtra opener Vijay Zol, the leading run-scorer of the tournament, and left-arm spinner Satyajit Bachhav, the highest wicket-taker, spoke about their performance in a post-match interview. Excerpts:
Vijay Zol
On his run-tally
1600-odd runs in the season; it’s probably a record. I did well in the one-dayers too.
On his first-innings dismissal
I played a flashy shot which cost the team.
On the Mumbai team
They played well. Credit should go to them. They bowled really well.
On the road ahead
Playing Ranji Trophy is a dream for me. And the Under-19 World Cup is also coming up so I will try and work hard for it.
On his idol Virender Sehwag
I met him at NCA when I was injured. He did not give me any specific advice. He asked me how much I had scored in the previous season, and I was the highest scorer at that time too, so he told me to continue doing that. He told me to remain down-to-earth always and to think about the next innings and continue playing. He gifted me a bat and that is very [precious] to me.
On his batting
I concentrate on the basics. We don’t have too many facilities like nets every day so I continue to do my regular [batting]. There aren’t many matches; I get about three or four matches in a month.
On off-season practice
There is only one club where I stay – Kane Cricket Academy. There is no real club cricket where we stay so I continue to practice. We spend three months at a camp in Pune, the State camp, that’s all. And we play state tournaments and one-dayers.
Satyajit Bachhav
On his wicket-tally
I have taken 37 wickets.
On the coach’s advice
Keep bowling a good line and length in the right areas
On playing at the Under-19 level
This is my second and last year in Under-19 cricket. I would like to play the Ranji Trophy.
On his background
I am from Nasik. I was earlier a pace bowler. I joined a coaching camp in school. Our coach Marathe [advised me to become] a left-arm spinner.
