After a successful season for Mumbai in the domestic circuit, Akhil Herwadkar, who finished as the second highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy 2015-16 season has been striving to make the most of his debut Indian Premier League season. The top-order batsman has been keenly working on his skills under the tutelage of Delhi Daredevils’ mentor Rahul Dravid and the rest of the illustrious coaching and support staff with the likes of Paddy Upton, Zubin Bharucha, Pravin Amre, TA Sekhar in it.
An eager student, Herwadkar has been absorbing the experience of being part of an IPL team for the first time. “Now, I have got a better understanding of what IPL is all about. Earlier, what I knew about the tournament was limited to what I saw on the television and heard from friends.
“It is a good experience in terms of (understanding) how one has to handle himself in front of a 30-40 thousand spectators in the ground; handling the pressure that comes with being there and all that. Although I haven’t played a match yet, sitting in the dugout, I could still get an idea of how and what I would have done if I was playing,” he elaborated further
While absorbing the atmosphere accorded to him by virtue of being part of the DD squad, the young lad has also been striving to understand from the former India captain the nuances of batting and his approach to the game. “I also spoke to Rahul (Dravid) sir on preparation,” says the batsman who is otherwise a shy youngster.
“He told me that it is better if you prepare yourself ahead of the match in the nets for the role assigned to you in the team. You have to do that regardless of the format. It doesn’t apply to just T20. If you do that, then you won’t find it different (or out of sorts when you find yourself in a situation) when you are playing in the match. You can’t just go and bat in the nets, you have to have a goal while doing that. For example, if I have to open then (I should practice) how should I bat in the first six overs - (the approach) and how to bat in the later overs as well as bat according to the situation,” he explained while talking about the inputs from Dravid.
The drills in the Daredevils nets sessions have been specific and planned. The think tank has been working with individuals and youngsters have been introduced to a structured practice. “Before the tournament started, we had a five-day camp in Raipur. At the time, me being an opening batsman, Rahul sir had given me scenarios - that is match scenarios on how to bat in the first six overs. He told me to target what I have to do i.e. do this and score these many runs in the first six overs; and play as normally as I do. This was new to me as I had not practiced like that for Twenty20 (before).
“I also asked him for practicing power-hitting and got that too. I also practiced for bowlers and deliveries which I was finding difficult to negotiate. I learnt a lot from that camp in Raipur and understanding of my strengths and weaknesses in T20 cricket,” he added while talking about the difference being with the franchise has made to him in the short duration.
Discussing what he has gathered about his batting and what is required of opener from Dravid, Herwadkar said, “In first six overs, we don’t want to be 60 for the loss of two or three wickets. We would be better off being 45 or 50 for the loss of at the most one wicket. He told me to play my normal game. There is no need to play risky shots, and once if you are set after the first six overs then you should take the game to 12-13th over which will help you build a big total for the team. He told me that’s the plan for an opening batsman.”
The plan has worked well for DD on most occasions. The rigorous net sessions and drills have seen youngsters emerge on the right side in tough situations as the team punched above their weight to win games. Another aspect of the practice sessions that has helped youngsters like Herwadkar is facing international players. Batting against the likes of Chris Morris, Nathan Coulter-Nile, captain Zaheer Khan etc has benefited the batsman in building his skills. “Their speed is a little more than the bowlers I have faced earlier. They know how not to let the batsman score; choke the batsman for runs. So they would bowl similarly to us in the nets as well. They would practice (for) not letting the batsman score while we would be practicing to score off the bowler; negotiate the yorker, bouncer, slower-one. They would also tell what field they are setting with the new ball or otherwise and we should be batting accordingly to score off the bowler,” he said while elaborating on the drills.
“The quality of cricket is at a higher level. I focus on the process. I take pressure positively,” he added.
“I should work more on my power-hitting, play to my strengths and that will help me perform,” Herwadkar mentioned while talking about the areas that he would be working on.
Speaking about the difference he now feels having played Under-19s, senior domestic circuit and now being part of the IPL in the 2016 edition of the tournament, Herwadkar said, “The confidence level has increased. After the Ranji Trophy, I shared the dressing room and stayed with such big players and practiced with them. So (I have been learning and understanding) what is their attitude and approach and how they remain positive in all situations. So by watching them I get the confidence as well (and) that’s what I try to imbibe.”
