I’m very happy to be associated with Playing 11; fantasy gaming is growing very rapidly and Playing 11 is a great stage for people/users to use their skill, create enthusiasm, fun from the comfort of your device.
When you play at Chinnaswamy Stadium, it is very loud and the crowd is always supporting you.
If you worry about the batsmen or their stature, then you cannot play to your strengths.
I love bowling on flat wickets with a bit of bounce. That personally suits my game.
Playing for your country is very different from playing IPL.
Dhoni bhai is approachable.
When I was playing in IPL, mom dad both were COVID positive. Mom had a mild one but dad’s one was serious as his oxygen count fell to 85.
Before a marquee tournament like World Cup, a good IPL acts as a confidence booster.
In limited-overs, leg-spinners are often rewarded as batsmen go for big shots. In Tests, they don’t go after a bowler aggressively.
You can’t predict anything in T20s.
I have some tricks in my mind and would like to first try them out in the practice sessions.
I just want to do well and contribute in any way I can for my team whenever I get the chance to perform.
Even regular keepers miss stumping chances and miss catches. These things happen.
I know Kuldeep Yadav for a very long time. We have played with and against each other a lot.
We have to remain united to fight coronavirus. You can read, learn dance, cook, learn new things in the time available.
We have to forget about the games we lost because we cannot change the results.
When there is a lot of cricket to play we say there is so much going on’ but we start missing it when there is no action.
I don’t get to spend too much time with my family.
You can’t bowl fast on flat wickets and you need to give it loop so that the ball takes turn.
Every cricketer dreams of playing Test cricket. If I get a chance, I will be geared up. I think I am good enough and will be ready to play whenever I get a chance.
Sometimes you can’t even defend 350 and sometimes, you can defend even 250. It’s all about mindset.
You cannot win every match.
I am really happy in life. I have a partner who really understands me and spends time with me.
I am happy even if I am not playing but the team is winning.
It is very important to remain fit and focused.
My biggest strength is the way I vary pace without any change in my hand-speed. The batsmen can’t make out.
I started watching videos of Shane Warne sir, and that’s where I realized what leg-spin is. He was my idol, and I wanted to be like him, bowl like him.
During Pataudi Trophy, which is a senior tournament played in Haryana, I was just 10-year-old back then, the match was in Sirsa, and there were just 11 of us, including me. The remaining player couldn’t make it on time due to a flat tire, so my coach asked me to play the match. You know, I was the only 10-year-old among those senior players.
Everyone wants to be a part of the World Cup and to play for the country.
When you know that if you are not performing well there are three or four others who can replace you, it automatically boosts me to work harder.
At times, when batsmen are not under pressure, it becomes easy to face the bowlers.
Against the best batsmen, you can’t have a defensive strategy.
I have not played that many matches for India, but whenever I play in Bengaluru, I feel it is like my home. I have taken wickets here.
When you play for India and also start performing, your fan base increases, the media highlights your performances. You feel a sense of positivity with all the praise and adulation that comes your way.
Honestly, I didn’t expect my call-up. I was just playing my game and will continue giving my best. Rest will be taken care by selectors. If they think I am good enough, they will take me in. Champions Trophy is a very big stage and there will be lot more opportunities for me in the coming future.
It’s a big thing to play under Mahi bhai. He was my first captain.
The goal is to win the World Cup for India but my personal goal is representing India in Tests.
I am working towards it, and it is a dream to play Test matches for India.
If batsmen put up a good total on the board, then it gives the bowlers more confidence to bowl well.
To kill time, I went to learn dance and there I met my to-be wife. She is a choreographer.
When the lockdown happened, I ordered gym equipment at my home and for the first two months, I worked out.
I like to go out and have fun. I can’t stay inside the room as I feel irritated. Even if I am not going to party somewhere, I prefer going out for dinners.
Mahi bhai is one the best and greatest players India has produced.
In the nets, I would see spinners like Piyush Chawla bhai or Amit Mishra bhai running in to bowl. I decided I am going to change my run-up and begin to run in to bowl.
I realized that the ball is turning more in leg-spin, which would make things difficult for the batsmen, so this made me enjoy bowling leg-spin more.
The new-ball bowlers usually bowl seven to eight overs before we spinners come into the attack, and the pressure they build on the batsmen with the new ball – they concede not more than 20-25 runs – helps us plan our line of attack as to where to bowl to maintain that pressure.
I learnt that no matter how busy you are you need to find time for your workout and gym.
I don’t want to bulk up as that would affect my bowling and running style. I have learnt to accept my body and I handle criticism positively.
Wrist-spinners are mostly attacking, and when your captain is so attacking you get freedom to attack more.
I go for wickets and I flight the ball.
I never thought along the lines of red ball or white ball cricket. I just go and enjoy my game.
In ODIs and T20s, if the run-rate is high, then the batsman tries to go after you and get out. But in the longer form you need to get them out with your skills. You need to use your brain more.
I want each and every ball that I bowl to to be my best delivery.
If you are bowling well and not getting wickets, it’s not a big issue. Sometimes I am economical, but not getting enough wickets. But if I am not bowling well and not getting wickets, then it’s a disturbing thing.
I tend to bowl outside the off-stump and I vary my pace.
Whenever I bowl, I vary the pace because otherwise, it becomes easy for the batsmen if you bowl at the same pace.
I realized that at the World Cup – which incidentally was my first ever World Cup – the media would be commenting not only on our game, but also on our different styles. That’s why I decided to seek professional help to put my looks together.
One of my cousins is a golfer, so I got motivated to try the game and I enjoy the relaxed pace it offers me after the fast pace of cricket.
Days were tough to pass. So, I used to work out in the mornings and sleep during the day. I turned day into night, night into day.
If I know someone for 5 or 6 years that is fine, else if someone comes in front of me for the first time, I just can’t speak and end up smiling and walking off.
I am a shy type of guy.
When you go under the sun and play, it is challenging.
Sometimes giving a single is better than risk being hit around. You can then attack to take wickets.
In the beginning, in school, I used to bowl medium-pace. Later, dad said that medium pacers need a proper body, and it also involves more risks of injury.
Chess taught me patience.
I have a complete temple of Lord Shiva. I have Shivansh written on me and that is the name of my sister’s son. I am a Leo so I also have a lion. I also have a warrior type tattoo as that gives me the spirit to fight when I am on the field. The pain of getting inked gives me joy.
I started in 2014 and I came from Mumbai Indians. That time I never thought that I’ll play 100 matches for RCB. So, yeah, it’s a very emotional journey.
In fact, I prefer flat wickets, for it gives our batsmen a chance to post big totals.
