In an exclusive chat with TOI, he talks about his love for speed, his favourite mode of dismissals, his India dream and the tips he has got from SRH bowling coach Dale Steyn.
Excerpts:
When did you realize that you had this God-given gift to bowl fast?
I realized this in 2018, when I was playing tennis-ball cricket. Whenever a team from Punjab came to Jammu, they used to call me, and I would win the match for my local side. After that, I appeared for the trials of the Jammu and Kashmir U-19 team and was selected. I would regularly practise with (Abdul) Samad (his J&K teammate). Samad bhai helped me a lot. He sent my bowling videos to the Sunrisers. SRH roped me in as a net bowler, and then I made it to the XI, which was a proud moment for me. Then I played matches and performed.
What about speed excites you?
When someone tells me I’m bowling too slow, toh mere jazbaat jaag jaate hain (my emotions come to the fore). I start bowling faster.
You have sent batsmen’s stumps flying in this IPL. Is that the mode of dismissal you enjoy most?
Yes, I love to castle batsmen. I love to hit batsmen on their helmet too. One, I feel that I’ve beaten the batsman with my pace, and secondly, once the batsman is scared, he doesn’t try to hit you.
You also made Shreyas Iyer uncomfortable with your pace and struck Hardik Pandya on the helmet. Most batsmen are backing away from the stumps to you…
It’s good for me ki woh mere ko peeche khel rahe hain (batsmen are backing away from the stumps). My aim would be to not let them hit me from there. I want to keep them on the backfoot.
What sort of conversations have you had with bowling coach Dale Steyn?
He teaches us a lot. It’s so good for us to have a legend like him in our dugout. If he plans works out, he feels very happy. Like in the last game, he was very happy because our plan was successful.
People are saying you will get to make your India debut soon…
God willing. My aim is to play for India and do well.
How is it playing under SRH captain Kane Williamson?
He’s a very good captain. Even as a bowler, if you get hit for a four or six, he’ll ask you, ‘Are you happy?’ If the captain backs you like that, there’s nothing else that a bowler wants. It boosts you and enables you to come back with a bang.
You have raw pace, but variations are needed at some stage in T20s…
I’ll develop all the deliveries gradually. I’m working on the slower ball and knuckle ball.
Irfan Pathan helped you when he was the mentor of the J&K team…
When I was in the J&K U-19 team, there was a camp of the J&K Ranji Trophy team, which Irfan bhai was conducting, and our side was practising there. I had already bowled in our practice session. However, upon seeing such a big former India player, I was prompted to ask him, ‘Irfan bhai, can I bowl too?’ I hit one of the J&K batsmen on his leg, pads and thigh pads three or four times. Then, Irfan bhai asked me my name. At that time, I had a ‘jump out’ issue with my run-up. Irfan bhai worked on me for around 10 days in that camp. He would take out an extra hour to work on me every day. He kept guiding me, and my journey began there. I used to keep talking to him and would send my bowling videos to him. He would keep giving me his feedback.
Are you aware that your raw pace has created a buzz in the global cricket fraternity?
I come from a small city, but I’m getting a feeling that everyone is beginning to know about me now. The best thing is that the SRH franchise has backed me a lot. I was a net bowler. They played me, and now because of them, everyone knows who I am.
There is hardly any cricketing infrastructure in J&K…
We used to practise on cement. Then, after Samad played in the IPL, we used to train at the hostel ground of the science college in Jammu, on the centre wicket turf. The J&K Cricket Association had two turf wickets. We used to practise there. Now, the cricketing infrastructure in J&K is getting better.
Do you think you can bowl faster?
I’m trying to do that! God willing, I can bowl better too.
Who’s been your pace bowling idol?
Mera idol main khud hi hun (I’m my own idol). I’ve been inspired and have learnt by watching (Jasprit) Bumrah.
