The top run getter in 2011-12 Ranji season with 1,034 runs from 10 matches at 86.16 (four hundreds), Robin Bist just spent the second year in the dug out of Delhi Daredevils throughout the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Despite hogging the limelight ahead of seasoned campaigners Aakash Chopra and Hrishikesh Kanitkar, this 24-year-old Delhi batsman didn’t get a single opportunity in the cash rich league despite being in Delhi team for two years in a row. Picked for India A team that is leaving for the West Indies on Wednesday, Robin is currently attending a three-day camp at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium here.
In an exclusive interview, Robin talks about his bitter IPL experience and passion for cricket. Excerpts from the interview:
How frustrating was it to sit out the whole IPL season?
I won’t really say it was frustrating as a lot depended on getting the team combination right and accommodating four international players. Yes, the question of me getting a look in was always there in the back of the mind and I was confident of doing well given the opportunity.
Did the management give you any reason for your non-inclusion in the playing eleven?
Honestly speaking, to get a chance in the playing XI was tough. Our team reached the semifinal where winning was more important than me getting the nod. However, it was a great learning experience to watch cricketing greats like Kevin Pietersen, Mahela Jayawardene, Ross Taylor, among others, from close for an extended period.
What’s your take on IPL?
Views on IPL vary from one player to the other. If a cricketer needs to spoiled by the extra money and other aspects involved with the tournament, it can happen anywhere. Playing cricket is the most important thing and IPL provides ample opportunity to do that, especially to young players like us. The post-match parties are not compulsory for any player.
Isn’t IPL ruining the basic cricketing skills?
No, I don’t feel that, as there is a difference between a good cricketer and a great cricketer. A great cricketer has to be excellent in all three formats. We have to keep changing and improving ourselves as per the different formats which is important for individual growth. IPL is the smallest format of cricket and helps us learn different ways to excel in it.
What do you think of post-match parties following the controversies it drew?
It is not compulsory to attend these parties. While it acts as a stress-buster for us, many people take these parties in a wrong sense which is incorrect.
Which format of cricket you like the most?
It’s my dream to play test cricket for India, so tests are my choice. I have scored lots of runs in four-day cricket and have the required will power to do well in test cricket.
What is your expectation from the forthcoming West Indies tour?
If I get a chance, I will prove myself there. The senior team will see certain players calling it a day soon, so every opportunity I get must be justified with good performance. This tour is very important for me as it is the first time that I will wear the blue jersey. I must raise the performance bar.
Being a Delhiite, will you play for your home state in future?
Lack of opportunity forced me to take the decision of moving to Rajasthan. But chances of playing for Delhi can’t be ruled out. However, I am grateful to the Rajasthan board for backing me at all times. I have played all my junior cricket in Delhi and still train under my coach Rakesh Rai at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan school.
Despite hogging the limelight ahead of seasoned campaigners Aakash Chopra and Hrishikesh Kanitkar, this 24-year-old Delhi batsman didn’t get a single opportunity in the cash rich league despite being in Delhi team for two years in a row. Picked for India A team that is leaving for the West Indies on Wednesday, Robin is currently attending a three-day camp at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium here.
In an exclusive interview, Robin talks about his bitter IPL experience and passion for cricket. Excerpts from the interview:
How frustrating was it to sit out the whole IPL season?
I won’t really say it was frustrating as a lot depended on getting the team combination right and accommodating four international players. Yes, the question of me getting a look in was always there in the back of the mind and I was confident of doing well given the opportunity.
Did the management give you any reason for your non-inclusion in the playing eleven?
Honestly speaking, to get a chance in the playing XI was tough. Our team reached the semifinal where winning was more important than me getting the nod. However, it was a great learning experience to watch cricketing greats like Kevin Pietersen, Mahela Jayawardene, Ross Taylor, among others, from close for an extended period.
What’s your take on IPL?
Views on IPL vary from one player to the other. If a cricketer needs to spoiled by the extra money and other aspects involved with the tournament, it can happen anywhere. Playing cricket is the most important thing and IPL provides ample opportunity to do that, especially to young players like us. The post-match parties are not compulsory for any player.
Isn’t IPL ruining the basic cricketing skills?
No, I don’t feel that, as there is a difference between a good cricketer and a great cricketer. A great cricketer has to be excellent in all three formats. We have to keep changing and improving ourselves as per the different formats which is important for individual growth. IPL is the smallest format of cricket and helps us learn different ways to excel in it.
What do you think of post-match parties following the controversies it drew?
It is not compulsory to attend these parties. While it acts as a stress-buster for us, many people take these parties in a wrong sense which is incorrect.
Which format of cricket you like the most?
It’s my dream to play test cricket for India, so tests are my choice. I have scored lots of runs in four-day cricket and have the required will power to do well in test cricket.
What is your expectation from the forthcoming West Indies tour?
If I get a chance, I will prove myself there. The senior team will see certain players calling it a day soon, so every opportunity I get must be justified with good performance. This tour is very important for me as it is the first time that I will wear the blue jersey. I must raise the performance bar.
Being a Delhiite, will you play for your home state in future?
Lack of opportunity forced me to take the decision of moving to Rajasthan. But chances of playing for Delhi can’t be ruled out. However, I am grateful to the Rajasthan board for backing me at all times. I have played all my junior cricket in Delhi and still train under my coach Rakesh Rai at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan school.