To finish as the highest wicket-taker for a season when your team doesn’t qualify for the knock-outs is a feat of sorts. Himachal Pradesh captain, Rishi Dhawan achieved that in the Ranji Trophy 2013-14 season. The pacer claimed 49 wickets from eight matches including six fivers and one ten-wicket haul which earned him the Madhavrao Scindia Award for being the highest wicket-taker in the premier multi-day domestic tournament.
He was also the fourth highest run-getter for his side with 435 runs including five half-centuries. At 24 years of age, Dhawan in a seasoned campaigner and has led the side from front. On the back of his performances in the domestic side, the all-rounder also had a good tour of Australia with the India A side.
While speaking to bcci.tv, Dhawan spoke about his bowling and the importance of fitness to be able to contribute with the bat and ball for a side.
Excerpts from the interview:
How important is the award and the recognition in domestic cricket for players?
It is certainly helpful. Being awarded gives confidence to me and my team. It will improve my performance and give me a boost to do better.
What has it been like to be a key player for the side and also captain it?
It has been nice till now. I hope that our team will do much better than this in the coming years and we perform better and be on the winning side.
How has your bowling evolved?
I have done a lot of bowling in the past two-three years and worked a lot on my fitness to bowl longer spells. I have to bat as well, so fitness is the most important thing for me. That is what I do, work on my strength.
You carried the team through the season with your batting and bowling, sometimes single-handedly, how challenging is the responsibility?
It is always tough for an all-rounder to do both – batting and bowling, if you are able to do it, it makes a significant difference for the team. It gives the team an edge. So I think that if you are fit enough and you are capable enough you can contribute and get your team a win.
So how do you work on your fitness?
I do running, strength training and gym as fitness is most important for fast bowlers.
Which all-rounder do you look up to? Have you interacted with him and what has been his advice?
Jacques Kallis! He is a legend. Once when I interacted with him, he had told me it is not about the form, it is a feeling. If you are feeling good about your bowling action, if you are hitting the ball well, it is just that. If you are making a 100 runs but not getting the feel in those hundred runs, then think that you are not in form.
If you are in touch regardless of the runs you make, you should take confidence from the fact that you are in touch and can perform better.
What has the leadership role been like?
I am aggressive by nature, so I try to see to it that the players have an aggressive approach too and that we play like a team.
Moving forward what are you working on?
With limited overs cricket happening around I am working on slower balls, yorkers; and in batting it is important to hit the ball well, so I am focusing on that.
What are you looking forward to in the forthcoming season?
I would like to continue performing well the way I have been over the past two-three years. And at the same time see to it that the Himachal team does better and coasts ahead as well and gets into the knock-outs and do well there.
