Recipient of the Lala Amarnath Award for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy for 2013-14 season, Parvez Rasool led Jammu & Kashmir from the front and made a mark in the domestic circuit. His performance of 663 runs and 27 wickets from nine matches in the tournament earned him accolades from the experts.
While speaking to bcci.tv on the occasion, the Jammu & Kashmir captain said that the award is a morale booster for himself and the side. While speaking about his journey Rasool talked about his inspiration Abdul Qayoom and the contribution of former India cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi to his cricket. Besides looking forward to taking his side to new heights, the all-rounder aims to make it back into the national side.
Excerpts from the interview:
How important is the award and what does it mean to you?
It is very important and especially for me because for the first time in the history a player from Jammu & Kashmir has received an award and that too for being the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy. I feel it will be a big morale booster for our players.
Besides performing with the bat and ball you also captained the team. How have you worked around it?
It all started the year before last when Bishan Singh Bedi became our coach. He gauged me as a player and said, āI am the best off-spinner in Jammu & Kashmirā and after some time he said you are the best off-spinner in India. It felt really good and it was also a challenge that a player of his stature said that about me. And I worked hard on my batting and bowling and did well in the season (2012-13). In the match against Assam, I scored 67 runs in the first innings and then took seven wickets and then batting again I scored 120 not out and returned to take two wickets. We won the game outright. I received the Man of the Match which felt good and that I helped the team win. Then in the match against Kerala I took eight wickets and after that our winning streak started.
The selectors took note of it. And my performances were noted, that I was single-handedly helping the team win and the next year I was handed captaincy. It was a huge responsibility and also pressure to do better for the team and for myself. I accepted the challenge and thanks to almighty Allah I was successful in doing what needed to be done. I scored 663 runs and took 27 wickets (2013-14 season) which felt good.
What has been the role of coach Abdul Qayoom?
He has been my coach since childhood. It was by watching him that I started playing. He is from my home town and has been a big cricketer for Jammu & Kashmir. He has played Zonal cricket and for Rest of India. He, I think is one player who has played most cricket for Jammu & Kashmir. I have been watching him since (the time I was) 14 years old and was inspired to become a big cricketer one day. He has played a big role in my development. He was a fast bowler but is very knowledgeable about batting as well. He has interacted and played with the likes of VVS Laxman for Indian Airlines. He learnt from them and taught us.
Then Bedi sir came and we felt that player of his stature has come and we can learn more from him. Once there was a practice game going on and my team was losing it. The opposition had four wickets in hand and needed to score 15-16 runs and when I was given the ball and I took three wickets. He was impressed with my field placing and action and he started taking interest in my bowling and boosted my confidence.
So what was his advise to you?
He would advise to deceive the batsman in flight. Play to your strength and work on it. Even if you are hit for runs donāt be afraid to flight the ball.
I was always a batsman. I bowled well in junior cricket as well but bowled little initially in the Ranji trophy. I was more off a batsman. I batted at no 4. After Bedi sir came I worked more on my bowling and worked hard on everything including fitness.
How do you see the responsibility with becoming the first cricketer from J&K to play for the country?
Getting the Lala Amarnath award is a huge honour for any cricketer. Best all-rounder! My responsibility increases. I am leading the team. We have done well in the domestic one-dayers this season, won three out of five matches. Now multi-day matches will start and we are preparing for that. Camps are going on Nagpur. This will be a morale booster for me as well as the team, that our performances are getting recognition which will lead to calls in India A, India, IPL.
Looking forward what is your next target?
The next target now is the selection for World Cup is ahead. There are multi-day matches coming up and the aim is to do well in those. I have to do well as team and individually as well. The target is to get back to the Indian team.
