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| Ajit Agarkar |
Ajit Agarkar made his debut for India on April 1st, 1998, against Australia. A medium-fast bowler with an excellent outswinger, Ajit's careeer started with a bang as he became the fastest ODI bowler to 50 international wickets. A handy batsman lower down the order, Ajit boasts a memorable hundred at Lord's, and has also bowled several matchwinning spells in Test cricket for India, the most memorable being at Adelaide in 2003-2004.
He has also represented the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, playing alongside such superstars as Chris Gayle, Ricky Ponting, Saurav Ganguly & Shoaib Akhtar.
He has also represented the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, playing alongside such superstars as Chris Gayle, Ricky Ponting, Saurav Ganguly & Shoaib Akhtar.
Question: First of all, many many thanks for giving us your time. You’re busy with your commentary work and we really appreciate you giving us the time to do the interview for PakPassion.Net.
Ajit Agarkar: No, my absolute pleasure. Not a problem at all.
Question: Who inspired you to become a fast bowler? Who were your role models when you were getting into cricket?
Ajit Agarkar: I didn’t have any role model as a fast bowler because I started my career as a batsman. I started with incidentally the same coach as Tendulkar, Ramakant Achrekar. That’s how I started my cricket. I was a batter till the age of about eighteen. That’s when I took up bowling because I could bowl a decent bouncer. That’s how I started and it kind of worked well for me later on.
Question: Ajit, you say that you literally overnight became a fast bowler. But who actually inspired you to become a fast bowler? Was it the coach who noticed that you had the skills of a fast bowler or was it yourself who decided that?
Ajit Agarkar: Not overnight. I mean I always enjoyed bowling but I used to be sort of slowish swing bowler. And then when I was about seventeen or eighteen, I could bowl a decent bumper by then. And Sachin actually, we played a Club game in Mumbai and he spotted that I could bowl decent, had a bit of zip and I was a little bit deceptive. So he sort of encouraged me to concentrate a lot more on bowling because till then, batting was always my priority. It even worked well as I got a lot more wickets in the local cricket in Mumbai. And I played for Mumbai as a bowler. Then my bowling career took off.
Question: Ajit, you were very quick in reaching fifty international wickets but then injury seemed to take over your career for a certain amount of time. Can you tell us the cause of the drop in performance when you came back from injury? Was it down to the injury or was it a little bit of confidence or something else?
Ajit Agarkar: A bit of everything I think. When you get injured early in your career, you need a little bit of help and guidance and it’s not easy to come back into the side. Plus, in international cricket, after your first season, a lot of people try and work you out. So sometimes it takes you a little bit of time. If you are in and out of the team due to injuries, it always hurts the confidence a little bit. But over the course of the 180 odd games that I’ve played, I think my record in One Day cricket is reasonable.
Ajit Agarkar: No, my absolute pleasure. Not a problem at all.
Question: Who inspired you to become a fast bowler? Who were your role models when you were getting into cricket?
Ajit Agarkar: I didn’t have any role model as a fast bowler because I started my career as a batsman. I started with incidentally the same coach as Tendulkar, Ramakant Achrekar. That’s how I started my cricket. I was a batter till the age of about eighteen. That’s when I took up bowling because I could bowl a decent bouncer. That’s how I started and it kind of worked well for me later on.
Question: Ajit, you say that you literally overnight became a fast bowler. But who actually inspired you to become a fast bowler? Was it the coach who noticed that you had the skills of a fast bowler or was it yourself who decided that?
Ajit Agarkar: Not overnight. I mean I always enjoyed bowling but I used to be sort of slowish swing bowler. And then when I was about seventeen or eighteen, I could bowl a decent bumper by then. And Sachin actually, we played a Club game in Mumbai and he spotted that I could bowl decent, had a bit of zip and I was a little bit deceptive. So he sort of encouraged me to concentrate a lot more on bowling because till then, batting was always my priority. It even worked well as I got a lot more wickets in the local cricket in Mumbai. And I played for Mumbai as a bowler. Then my bowling career took off.
Question: Ajit, you were very quick in reaching fifty international wickets but then injury seemed to take over your career for a certain amount of time. Can you tell us the cause of the drop in performance when you came back from injury? Was it down to the injury or was it a little bit of confidence or something else?
Ajit Agarkar: A bit of everything I think. When you get injured early in your career, you need a little bit of help and guidance and it’s not easy to come back into the side. Plus, in international cricket, after your first season, a lot of people try and work you out. So sometimes it takes you a little bit of time. If you are in and out of the team due to injuries, it always hurts the confidence a little bit. But over the course of the 180 odd games that I’ve played, I think my record in One Day cricket is reasonable.
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| Ajit Agarkar |
Question: You started out as an allrounder showing a lot of promise, picking up a fifer and a century in the same match against Pakistan A for India A. Do you feel that you could have done better as a batsman in international cricket? Are you satisfied with your batting statistics?
Ajit Agarkar: No, not satisfied. But I primarily played as a bowler throughout my career. This tag of ‘allrounder’ is only due to the media. I mean I never went out and said ‘I am an allrounder’. It’s easy to put the blame if someone fails in one department saying that he shouldn’t as he’s an allrounder. So it’s a little bit harsh because I was always looked at as a bowler. I never batted higher than number eight or nine. I could have done a bit more with the bat. I have decent ability with the bat. But bowling took a lot of my energy and that’s where I concentrated because if I didn’t bowl well, I wouldn’t be in the team. So to say I failed with the bat is perhaps a little bit harsh. Yeah, I’m not satisfied with what I have done with the bat in international cricket but it is harsh to say I failed because they always looked at my bowling first and then I could always contribute with the bat.
Question: You were one of the most successful One Day international bowlers during the late 90s and early 2000s. What are the reasons you feel you couldn’t cut it in Test cricket – was it the lack of opportunities or something else?
Ajit Agarkar: A little bit of everything I think. By the time I learnt how to bowl in Test cricket, I picked up a few injuries around the time when I was bowling well. I generally have bowled well against Australia over my Test career which is probably a good thing because they were the strongest team over that period in 90s and most of 2000s. Injuries at the wrong time were primarily the reason because you’ve got be at your peak fitness to play Test cricket. That’s probably one of the disappointments in my Test cricket.
Question: You mentioned your high success rate against the Australians. There is a term ‘cricketing bunny’ as you’d have heard that phrase quite often. Justin Langer seemed to be your bunny. How come you were so successful against Justin Langer? What was the plan against him?
Ajit Agarkar: Well, outswing is my stock ball which comes in to the left handers. He generally had problems with the ball coming in to him. Having said that, I got him five or six times in that series which we drew against Australia, but he still got a couple of hundreds. I had a fair amount of success against him. I enjoyed bowling to him. It generally happens when you probably have a little edge over one of the batters, you somehow seem to put the ball in the right areas for that batter more than the others. He used to be a fantastic player and it was tough to bowl to him. But yeah, I have had reasonable success against him may be because the outswing was my stock ball and kookaburra swings a lot early on which obviously helped.
Question: Ajit, your memories of India’s historic Test win against Australia at Adelaide Oval in 2003/04 – are they still fresh in your mind?
Ajit Agarkar: Yeah, very much so. I was part of the squad in 1999 when Australia whitewashed 3-0. Although most of us toured there for the first time, it was something which is quite difficult as a team to handle – to go there and lose 3-0. Although we didn’t probably have enough experience as a team to go and beat them, we could have competed it a bit better.
So those memories were still fresh when we went there in 2003. We actually won that test and could have probably gone on to win the series had we played a little bit better at Sydney. We were in a position to. To draw the series was obviously satisfying; especially the Adelaide Test. To have contributed in a Test victory is always very special.
Ajit Agarkar: No, not satisfied. But I primarily played as a bowler throughout my career. This tag of ‘allrounder’ is only due to the media. I mean I never went out and said ‘I am an allrounder’. It’s easy to put the blame if someone fails in one department saying that he shouldn’t as he’s an allrounder. So it’s a little bit harsh because I was always looked at as a bowler. I never batted higher than number eight or nine. I could have done a bit more with the bat. I have decent ability with the bat. But bowling took a lot of my energy and that’s where I concentrated because if I didn’t bowl well, I wouldn’t be in the team. So to say I failed with the bat is perhaps a little bit harsh. Yeah, I’m not satisfied with what I have done with the bat in international cricket but it is harsh to say I failed because they always looked at my bowling first and then I could always contribute with the bat.
Question: You were one of the most successful One Day international bowlers during the late 90s and early 2000s. What are the reasons you feel you couldn’t cut it in Test cricket – was it the lack of opportunities or something else?
Ajit Agarkar: A little bit of everything I think. By the time I learnt how to bowl in Test cricket, I picked up a few injuries around the time when I was bowling well. I generally have bowled well against Australia over my Test career which is probably a good thing because they were the strongest team over that period in 90s and most of 2000s. Injuries at the wrong time were primarily the reason because you’ve got be at your peak fitness to play Test cricket. That’s probably one of the disappointments in my Test cricket.
Question: You mentioned your high success rate against the Australians. There is a term ‘cricketing bunny’ as you’d have heard that phrase quite often. Justin Langer seemed to be your bunny. How come you were so successful against Justin Langer? What was the plan against him?
Ajit Agarkar: Well, outswing is my stock ball which comes in to the left handers. He generally had problems with the ball coming in to him. Having said that, I got him five or six times in that series which we drew against Australia, but he still got a couple of hundreds. I had a fair amount of success against him. I enjoyed bowling to him. It generally happens when you probably have a little edge over one of the batters, you somehow seem to put the ball in the right areas for that batter more than the others. He used to be a fantastic player and it was tough to bowl to him. But yeah, I have had reasonable success against him may be because the outswing was my stock ball and kookaburra swings a lot early on which obviously helped.
Question: Ajit, your memories of India’s historic Test win against Australia at Adelaide Oval in 2003/04 – are they still fresh in your mind?
Ajit Agarkar: Yeah, very much so. I was part of the squad in 1999 when Australia whitewashed 3-0. Although most of us toured there for the first time, it was something which is quite difficult as a team to handle – to go there and lose 3-0. Although we didn’t probably have enough experience as a team to go and beat them, we could have competed it a bit better.
So those memories were still fresh when we went there in 2003. We actually won that test and could have probably gone on to win the series had we played a little bit better at Sydney. We were in a position to. To draw the series was obviously satisfying; especially the Adelaide Test. To have contributed in a Test victory is always very special.
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| Ajit Agarkar |
Question: From your personal perspective, what is the greatest moment of your international career - or perhaps domestic career?
Ajit Agarkar: I think there are quite a few moments but you always generally put the ones which you won before everything else. The Adelaide Test definitely marks as one of the moments of my career because beating Australia in Australia is not easy – doesn’t matter what team you play. At that time, the Australian team was pretty strong with most big names except Glenn McGrath being available. So that is probably the highlight as far as my Test cricket goes.
One Day cricket – I played a fair bit of it for India so there are lots of good memories and lots of good victories.
Well, the hundred at Lord’s comes to mind that couldn’t make it as one of the highlights because we lost that Test. But it was nice to make a hundred and then get on the honour's board there.
Question: Ajit, who’s the best captain you’ve played under – and what was so good about that captain?
Ajit Agarkar: It would be a little bit unfair to say the best or worst because everyone was different. I started with Azhar – he was really good. He gave you the freedom too. As youngsters, we looked up to Azhar as one of the greats of Indian cricket. He was very easy on the field. It was much easier to play under him.
Sachin – He is quite a good friend. So by then, I knew Sachin quite a bit when I played under him. So it wasn’t very difficult. It was completely different because when he took over, there was turmoil in Indian cricket. A lot of young guys were coming in at that point.
And then eventually, it was Rahul. Rahul was different – they were all different. As the years went by, with Sachin, Rahul, Saurav being experienced, the team eventually got better.
Dhoni – I haven’t really played under him except for the Twenty20 World Cup victory in South Africa. But looking from outside, temperamentally he looks brilliant.
Question: Coming to the point of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, no matter who the captain is of India - there are always criticism from some quarters with the Indian captain. How do you rate him as captain of the Indian team?
Ajit Agarkar: Oh - Simply brilliant. For the last 3-4 years he has been leading the team in all three formats of the sport, which in itself shows you how good he is. This is all while there are individuals such as Sehwag, Tendulkar and Dravid in the team and to lead them tells you a lot about the guy's confidence and temperament . To do well in all three formats; India is ranked 1st in tests and 2nd in ODIs, just goes to show how successful he is. And for someone so young to do it and so quickly in his career - well you dont really have to say too much about him because he has proved himself and his record shows it As I said before, I haven’t personally played under him a lot so wont be able to say how he plays his game but you can just watch and see how temperamentally good he is.
Ajit Agarkar: I think there are quite a few moments but you always generally put the ones which you won before everything else. The Adelaide Test definitely marks as one of the moments of my career because beating Australia in Australia is not easy – doesn’t matter what team you play. At that time, the Australian team was pretty strong with most big names except Glenn McGrath being available. So that is probably the highlight as far as my Test cricket goes.
One Day cricket – I played a fair bit of it for India so there are lots of good memories and lots of good victories.
Well, the hundred at Lord’s comes to mind that couldn’t make it as one of the highlights because we lost that Test. But it was nice to make a hundred and then get on the honour's board there.
Question: Ajit, who’s the best captain you’ve played under – and what was so good about that captain?
Ajit Agarkar: It would be a little bit unfair to say the best or worst because everyone was different. I started with Azhar – he was really good. He gave you the freedom too. As youngsters, we looked up to Azhar as one of the greats of Indian cricket. He was very easy on the field. It was much easier to play under him.
Sachin – He is quite a good friend. So by then, I knew Sachin quite a bit when I played under him. So it wasn’t very difficult. It was completely different because when he took over, there was turmoil in Indian cricket. A lot of young guys were coming in at that point.
And then eventually, it was Rahul. Rahul was different – they were all different. As the years went by, with Sachin, Rahul, Saurav being experienced, the team eventually got better.
Dhoni – I haven’t really played under him except for the Twenty20 World Cup victory in South Africa. But looking from outside, temperamentally he looks brilliant.
Question: Coming to the point of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, no matter who the captain is of India - there are always criticism from some quarters with the Indian captain. How do you rate him as captain of the Indian team?
Ajit Agarkar: Oh - Simply brilliant. For the last 3-4 years he has been leading the team in all three formats of the sport, which in itself shows you how good he is. This is all while there are individuals such as Sehwag, Tendulkar and Dravid in the team and to lead them tells you a lot about the guy's confidence and temperament . To do well in all three formats; India is ranked 1st in tests and 2nd in ODIs, just goes to show how successful he is. And for someone so young to do it and so quickly in his career - well you dont really have to say too much about him because he has proved himself and his record shows it As I said before, I haven’t personally played under him a lot so wont be able to say how he plays his game but you can just watch and see how temperamentally good he is.
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| Ajit Agarkar |
Question: Two greats of Indian spin bowling, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, whom you have seen play over the years. Two different characters in Indian cricket, your thoughts on how their careers have developed and who do you rate as the better bowler?
Ajit Agarkar: Both are quite different. I feel that Anil Kumble was India’s biggest match winner. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves. However, with due respect to anyone who has played for India amongst bowlers who have done well, Anil is number one in terms of winning games for India. Bhajji will probably end up getting close to his achievements when he finishes. He has won som many games for India in the last 7-8 years. You can almost feel that there is a lot more pressure on Bhajji’s shoulders after Kumble’s retirement to do it on his own. Luckily for India, Zaheer and couple of other fast bowlers have stepped up, otherwise it is quite difficult to replace someone like Kumble. I would probably put Anil Kumble as the number one bowler in the history of Indian cricket in terms of winning games for India. Atlhough, you have the likes of the great Kapil Dev who got 400 wickets in Indian/sub continental conditions is not easy for a fast bowler. However, all said and done, Anil and Bhajji have dominated a lot of time against the teams that have come to India.
Question: Ajit, looking at Indian domestic cricket; are there any good upcoming fast or seam bolwing stars that we should be made aware of?
Ajit Agarkar: [Laughing]I wouldn't say quick but among the guys who are around at the moment, Praveen Kumar who starred in the T20 World Cup is quite promising. Ishant Sharma has been around on the scene for the last 3-4 years now - he is probably one for the future. Sreesanth is quite a good bowler, although a little unpredictable at time but still a very very good bowler. But, yes there are other bowlers around in domestic cricket but you only know when they play at the top level and how they handle the pressure - if they have enough skills or not to survive.
Question: Have you heard of a bowler named, Varun Aaron?
Ajit Agarkar: Yes, I have heard of him. He was with us for a year in the IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders, but he was unfortunately injured so I haven't seen him bowl but I hear that he as bit of zip about him. Incidentally, he is with the Delhi Daredevils squad this year, so I will get to see him there.
Ajit Agarkar: Both are quite different. I feel that Anil Kumble was India’s biggest match winner. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves. However, with due respect to anyone who has played for India amongst bowlers who have done well, Anil is number one in terms of winning games for India. Bhajji will probably end up getting close to his achievements when he finishes. He has won som many games for India in the last 7-8 years. You can almost feel that there is a lot more pressure on Bhajji’s shoulders after Kumble’s retirement to do it on his own. Luckily for India, Zaheer and couple of other fast bowlers have stepped up, otherwise it is quite difficult to replace someone like Kumble. I would probably put Anil Kumble as the number one bowler in the history of Indian cricket in terms of winning games for India. Atlhough, you have the likes of the great Kapil Dev who got 400 wickets in Indian/sub continental conditions is not easy for a fast bowler. However, all said and done, Anil and Bhajji have dominated a lot of time against the teams that have come to India.
Question: Ajit, looking at Indian domestic cricket; are there any good upcoming fast or seam bolwing stars that we should be made aware of?
Ajit Agarkar: [Laughing]I wouldn't say quick but among the guys who are around at the moment, Praveen Kumar who starred in the T20 World Cup is quite promising. Ishant Sharma has been around on the scene for the last 3-4 years now - he is probably one for the future. Sreesanth is quite a good bowler, although a little unpredictable at time but still a very very good bowler. But, yes there are other bowlers around in domestic cricket but you only know when they play at the top level and how they handle the pressure - if they have enough skills or not to survive.
Question: Have you heard of a bowler named, Varun Aaron?
Ajit Agarkar: Yes, I have heard of him. He was with us for a year in the IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders, but he was unfortunately injured so I haven't seen him bowl but I hear that he as bit of zip about him. Incidentally, he is with the Delhi Daredevils squad this year, so I will get to see him there.
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| Ajit Agarkar |
Question: You mentioned Sreesanth in your previous answer, as a bowler you came across as being calm and cool. Sreesanth is almost the complete opposite, what type of advice would you give him? Would you tell him to stay the way he is or cool things down a little bit at times?
Ajit Agarkar: No, I wouldn’t really give him any advice. Every person is different in character and the personality is different. As long as they don’t cross the line, and you are sensible about it and it doesnt effect your game - thats the bottom line - you do things on the field as long as its not effecting your game You have to be sensible enough to draw the line and see what helps you and what doesn't, in trying to get under the skin of the opposition. You have to remember to not to get carried away and lose control over your own game.
Question: You were lucky enough to not pick up too many injuries in your career. These days fast bowlers are regularly picking up injuries and sticking to one or two out of three formats in order to control their injuries. What would your advice be to upcoming fast bowlers in terms of staying injury free?
Ajit Agarkar: It’s a difficult thing, isn't it? I can only talk about fast bowlers coming from the subcontinent. If you see our first class season, it is hard work for our fast bowlers. This is why we don’t get too many fast bowlers coming from India as a lot of them end up picking up injuries as young bowlers and their speed goes down. But, I guess, you work hard on your fitness and stay disciplined - thats all you can do. Injuries are a part of any fast bowlers career - its just down to how you can minimise these and it can happen sometimes when you are younger. Its also down sorting out your bowling and to the right guidance to sort out your fitness. Mind you, there is a lot more awareness on fitness training now than it was about 10 year back. However, you also have to remember that there are 3 forms of the game now and a lot more stress and pressure on the body than before. Its not as if the cricketers of the past years played any less or more cricket but the demands of travelling etc are a little bit more so you have to be a bit more disciplined and know how to look after yourself if you wish to play for a longer period of time and also want to play ALL formats of the game.
Question: What are your thoughts on the MRF academy in India as it has played a key role in development of Indian cricket? How important is its role and how successful do you feel it has been and what areas are required to be improved?
Ajit Agarkar: Honestly, can't really say what needs to be done to improve it as I have not spent any time at the academy other than a few times to meet Dennis Lillee - I wouldn’t know how things are run there. Obviously, Zaheer Khan is a product of MRF academy earlier in his career. Javagal Srinath also went there for a little while during his career. Venkatesh Prasad was a product of that academy. So, yes they have done well over the years and have provided bowlers for the Indian cricket team but I really can't say much about their operation or improvements.
Question: Regarding Zaheer Khan, he has become a wily old fox. During his initial years, he was a bowler that would charge in and bowl fast yorkers. These years he seems to be relying on seam and swing and has become a bowler that can work batsmen out. What are your thoughts on his improvement over the years?
Ajit Agarkar: Yes, he knows his own bowling really well which happens with experience.I suppose that happens as you gain more and more experience. His county stint with Worcestershire did help him a bit with his bowling. He started figuring out how to bowl in different conditions - when to push himself and when to hold back. Even today, when he wants to he could bowl in the higher 130km/h. He doesnt do that when he doesnt need to because he has become smarter. He has movement and additionally he is a left armer which is a difficult angle for most batsmen - he's simply a good bowler. He has worked out his bowling and its really helped him because he has played most of the games for India - not too many missed with injury. I guess once you know your bowling and body well then it comes naturally so yes, he has been India's best bowler in the last 3 years by a long way whether its a spinner or a fast bowler.
Ajit Agarkar: No, I wouldn’t really give him any advice. Every person is different in character and the personality is different. As long as they don’t cross the line, and you are sensible about it and it doesnt effect your game - thats the bottom line - you do things on the field as long as its not effecting your game You have to be sensible enough to draw the line and see what helps you and what doesn't, in trying to get under the skin of the opposition. You have to remember to not to get carried away and lose control over your own game.
Question: You were lucky enough to not pick up too many injuries in your career. These days fast bowlers are regularly picking up injuries and sticking to one or two out of three formats in order to control their injuries. What would your advice be to upcoming fast bowlers in terms of staying injury free?
Ajit Agarkar: It’s a difficult thing, isn't it? I can only talk about fast bowlers coming from the subcontinent. If you see our first class season, it is hard work for our fast bowlers. This is why we don’t get too many fast bowlers coming from India as a lot of them end up picking up injuries as young bowlers and their speed goes down. But, I guess, you work hard on your fitness and stay disciplined - thats all you can do. Injuries are a part of any fast bowlers career - its just down to how you can minimise these and it can happen sometimes when you are younger. Its also down sorting out your bowling and to the right guidance to sort out your fitness. Mind you, there is a lot more awareness on fitness training now than it was about 10 year back. However, you also have to remember that there are 3 forms of the game now and a lot more stress and pressure on the body than before. Its not as if the cricketers of the past years played any less or more cricket but the demands of travelling etc are a little bit more so you have to be a bit more disciplined and know how to look after yourself if you wish to play for a longer period of time and also want to play ALL formats of the game.
Question: What are your thoughts on the MRF academy in India as it has played a key role in development of Indian cricket? How important is its role and how successful do you feel it has been and what areas are required to be improved?
Ajit Agarkar: Honestly, can't really say what needs to be done to improve it as I have not spent any time at the academy other than a few times to meet Dennis Lillee - I wouldn’t know how things are run there. Obviously, Zaheer Khan is a product of MRF academy earlier in his career. Javagal Srinath also went there for a little while during his career. Venkatesh Prasad was a product of that academy. So, yes they have done well over the years and have provided bowlers for the Indian cricket team but I really can't say much about their operation or improvements.
Question: Regarding Zaheer Khan, he has become a wily old fox. During his initial years, he was a bowler that would charge in and bowl fast yorkers. These years he seems to be relying on seam and swing and has become a bowler that can work batsmen out. What are your thoughts on his improvement over the years?
Ajit Agarkar: Yes, he knows his own bowling really well which happens with experience.I suppose that happens as you gain more and more experience. His county stint with Worcestershire did help him a bit with his bowling. He started figuring out how to bowl in different conditions - when to push himself and when to hold back. Even today, when he wants to he could bowl in the higher 130km/h. He doesnt do that when he doesnt need to because he has become smarter. He has movement and additionally he is a left armer which is a difficult angle for most batsmen - he's simply a good bowler. He has worked out his bowling and its really helped him because he has played most of the games for India - not too many missed with injury. I guess once you know your bowling and body well then it comes naturally so yes, he has been India's best bowler in the last 3 years by a long way whether its a spinner or a fast bowler.
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| Ajit Agarkar |
Question: We have all seen you working as a sports analyst on Sky Sports. How has the experience been for you? Are you looking towards more media work or perhaps a stint as cricket commentator? What about a stint as coach?
Ajit Agarkar: I don’t know. I am still playing first class cricket this year in IPL I have enjoyed it at Sky, learning from experienced guys to see how they speak about the game and hear their views about the game. So, Yes, I have enjoyed it sitting with these guys and was looking forward to it before I came here. As for the future I am not sure but all I do know is tha I have to play IPL in next 7-10 days!
Question: How is the relationship off the field between Pak and Ind players?
Ajit Agarkar: Its very good – most players get along – not seen any animosity between players in my time – there is definitely some needle, extra edge to the games between them usually caused by the people around the games as opposed to between players
It is the biggest game that both countries play against each other in a World Cup and we don’t play enough nowadays as is.
This also makes the Semi Final more mouthwatering as both teams have started to reach reasonable form – you cant really ask for more except that I wish that it was WC final but semi is good enough – people have been waiting for this game
Question: Coming to Wednesday game – India must have home advantage…is there fear etc
Ajit Agarkar: Pakistan had a good QF but not against good team not that any match in WC is easy – India on the other hand played a very good team – whatever team Australia put on the field is by definition a good opposition and India were able to come back after being 180/5 at one point and score 260 would have given them immense confidence – its about handling the pressure at this stage in the Cup – Every one expects India to win and its not easy as it looks. – it’s a tough game – india will start as slight favourites.
Ajit Agarkar: I don’t know. I am still playing first class cricket this year in IPL I have enjoyed it at Sky, learning from experienced guys to see how they speak about the game and hear their views about the game. So, Yes, I have enjoyed it sitting with these guys and was looking forward to it before I came here. As for the future I am not sure but all I do know is tha I have to play IPL in next 7-10 days!
Question: How is the relationship off the field between Pak and Ind players?
Ajit Agarkar: Its very good – most players get along – not seen any animosity between players in my time – there is definitely some needle, extra edge to the games between them usually caused by the people around the games as opposed to between players
It is the biggest game that both countries play against each other in a World Cup and we don’t play enough nowadays as is.
This also makes the Semi Final more mouthwatering as both teams have started to reach reasonable form – you cant really ask for more except that I wish that it was WC final but semi is good enough – people have been waiting for this game
Question: Coming to Wednesday game – India must have home advantage…is there fear etc
Ajit Agarkar: Pakistan had a good QF but not against good team not that any match in WC is easy – India on the other hand played a very good team – whatever team Australia put on the field is by definition a good opposition and India were able to come back after being 180/5 at one point and score 260 would have given them immense confidence – its about handling the pressure at this stage in the Cup – Every one expects India to win and its not easy as it looks. – it’s a tough game – india will start as slight favourites.
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| Ajit Agarkar |
Question: Do you think the pressure of the crowd will get to the players – perhaps some of the inexperienced ones?
Ajit Agarkar: It could have today yet they responded very well – obviously Pakistan game offers a little more than an ordinary game but the fact is also that Australia hadn’t lost a game for the last 3 cups until that game with Pakistan and also they have been world champions for a while – India responded well under pressure today – someone like Raina who has been in and out of the team – to go out and play like that knowing that India, the host, could be knocked out of the tournament is a big ask.
I think they came out well from this game and even though Pakistan is a big game they will cope better based on the performance against Australia.
Question: Who do you think are the key players for both sides?
Ajit Agarkar: Sehwag and Sachin are key, Yuvi is top of the form possibly man of the tournament – if you had to give someone an award for that, he would definitely be in one of the top 3 in the tournament.
These 3 ( Sehwag, SRT, Yuvi) + Zaheer will be crucial in the bowling. The other 3 or 4 bowlers will also have to support him in terms of getting wickets.
For Pakistan – Afridi has been in phenomenal form – if the openers get Pakistan to a decent start then middle order is very strong and could chase very well unlike other teams – that could cause India problem . Umar Gul has been in terrific form as well but the important thing is the openers – if they start off well then India will be in for a hard time
Question: One key battle between one key player from each county that could decide the game?
Ajit Agarkar: There are lots of battles! Not possible to say one battle as both teams have good players and players in good form
I just think India are ahead in batting as they have more than one player in good form – for Pakistan, they need performances from some of their big batters
How India play Afridi and Gul at the top order might decide the contest – well may not decide it as there are other things but atleast they are playing on a good wicket which is a bit slowish – the wicket in Mohali is more on the flatter side and play well for hundred overs.
Ajit Agarkar: It could have today yet they responded very well – obviously Pakistan game offers a little more than an ordinary game but the fact is also that Australia hadn’t lost a game for the last 3 cups until that game with Pakistan and also they have been world champions for a while – India responded well under pressure today – someone like Raina who has been in and out of the team – to go out and play like that knowing that India, the host, could be knocked out of the tournament is a big ask.
I think they came out well from this game and even though Pakistan is a big game they will cope better based on the performance against Australia.
Question: Who do you think are the key players for both sides?
Ajit Agarkar: Sehwag and Sachin are key, Yuvi is top of the form possibly man of the tournament – if you had to give someone an award for that, he would definitely be in one of the top 3 in the tournament.
These 3 ( Sehwag, SRT, Yuvi) + Zaheer will be crucial in the bowling. The other 3 or 4 bowlers will also have to support him in terms of getting wickets.
For Pakistan – Afridi has been in phenomenal form – if the openers get Pakistan to a decent start then middle order is very strong and could chase very well unlike other teams – that could cause India problem . Umar Gul has been in terrific form as well but the important thing is the openers – if they start off well then India will be in for a hard time
Question: One key battle between one key player from each county that could decide the game?
Ajit Agarkar: There are lots of battles! Not possible to say one battle as both teams have good players and players in good form
I just think India are ahead in batting as they have more than one player in good form – for Pakistan, they need performances from some of their big batters
How India play Afridi and Gul at the top order might decide the contest – well may not decide it as there are other things but atleast they are playing on a good wicket which is a bit slowish – the wicket in Mohali is more on the flatter side and play well for hundred overs.
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| Ajit Agarkar |
