'I am ready for Test cricket'
Ramesh Powar proved to be a vital ingredient in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy-winning recipe last season, and has begun this season with a bang, taking 4 for 61 and scoring a quickfire 57 in the Irani Trophy
07-Feb-2004
Ramesh Powar proved to be a vital ingredient in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy-winning recipe last season. Batting down the order, sometimes as low as No. 10, he scripted some plucky knocks and finished with the second highest average (46.44) for Mumbai. He chipped in with his teasing offspinners as well. Powar began this season with a bang, taking 4 for 61 and scoring a quickfire 57 in the Irani Trophy. Powar spoke to Wisden Cricinfo almost a month before he included in the Indian one-day squad for the tour to Pakistan.
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Ramesh Powar: played his part in Mumbai's success last season © Wisden Cricinfo |
How do you rate your season so far?
Compared to last season, I'm more of a bowler who can bat. Last season I was a batsman who could bowl. Now people expect me to take wickets as well as score runs. I think I have done a fair job this season. Though I scored a century against Railways, my batting was not upto the mark. But I am definitely a better bowler now.
Compared to last season, I'm more of a bowler who can bat. Last season I was a batsman who could bowl. Now people expect me to take wickets as well as score runs. I think I have done a fair job this season. Though I scored a century against Railways, my batting was not upto the mark. But I am definitely a better bowler now.
What are the modifications you have brought into your bowling?
I'm bowling a little slower now, I want the batsmen to drive me through the covers. The change came about in the camp in Bangalore, when Sachin [Tendulkar] suggested that I bowl slower and fuller. Earlier I used to pitch it on a good length. When I tried this [bowl a fuller length], I got help from the wickets in Bangalore while practicing. That boosted my confidence.
I'm bowling a little slower now, I want the batsmen to drive me through the covers. The change came about in the camp in Bangalore, when Sachin [Tendulkar] suggested that I bowl slower and fuller. Earlier I used to pitch it on a good length. When I tried this [bowl a fuller length], I got help from the wickets in Bangalore while practicing. That boosted my confidence.
Didn't it work for you in the first innings of the Irani Trophy?
The pitch had moisture in the first innings and that helped my new method. But bowling slow backfired in the second innings. The wicket was very slow and the batsmen had time to adjust. I lacked consistency in the second innings and I didn't vary my pace and flight. With batsmen like Rahul [Dravid] and [VVS] Laxman, who use their feet so well, you can't get away with that.
The pitch had moisture in the first innings and that helped my new method. But bowling slow backfired in the second innings. The wicket was very slow and the batsmen had time to adjust. I lacked consistency in the second innings and I didn't vary my pace and flight. With batsmen like Rahul [Dravid] and [VVS] Laxman, who use their feet so well, you can't get away with that.
Steadily you have established yourself as an allrounder in the Mumbai side. Was that a planned approach?
I started my career as a batsman who could bowl. But in my first two games I got wickets. In my debut season [1999-00], I got a half-century in the second innings against Bengal. Then, the impression was that I was a bowler who could bat. Last season I again became a batsman who could bowl. That was because our team had a set of good bowlers like Sairaj [Bahutule], Aavishkar [Salvi], Nilesh [Kulkarni], Ajit [Agarkar] and I used to get only short spells. This season I have got many more chances and have been consistently picking wickets.
I started my career as a batsman who could bowl. But in my first two games I got wickets. In my debut season [1999-00], I got a half-century in the second innings against Bengal. Then, the impression was that I was a bowler who could bat. Last season I again became a batsman who could bowl. That was because our team had a set of good bowlers like Sairaj [Bahutule], Aavishkar [Salvi], Nilesh [Kulkarni], Ajit [Agarkar] and I used to get only short spells. This season I have got many more chances and have been consistently picking wickets.
You've been known as a bits-and-pieces cricketer who can contribute in the one-day games. Have you reached a stage where you feel you can contest for a Test spot as a specialist spinner?
Yes, I've played against quality opposition this year, like Rest of India, and taken wickets. I want to be a good allrounder and perform consistently. I am not restricting myself to being a one-day specialist, but want to play both forms of the game. I think I will definitely do well in Test cricket as I am bowling with a lot of confidence. I am definitely ready for Test cricket.
Yes, I've played against quality opposition this year, like Rest of India, and taken wickets. I want to be a good allrounder and perform consistently. I am not restricting myself to being a one-day specialist, but want to play both forms of the game. I think I will definitely do well in Test cricket as I am bowling with a lot of confidence. I am definitely ready for Test cricket.
How do you rate your performance against Sri Lanka A?
Against Sri Lanka A I was not consistent enough on the slow tracks. If there is any help from the pitch, I can give a good performance. I am learning to bowl better on slow and flat tracks.
Against Sri Lanka A I was not consistent enough on the slow tracks. If there is any help from the pitch, I can give a good performance. I am learning to bowl better on slow and flat tracks.
Who are the chief influences in your career?
To play under Sachin was a huge boost for me. It makes a lot of difference to be in the same team as Sachin and [Vinod] Kambli. Their thought process and reading of the game is of a very high level. I think I am a better bowler this season because of Sachin's advice in the Bangalore camp. He always told me not to think too much about batting technique but to play freely and get the desired results. I also learnt a lot from [Erapalli] Prasanna, Venkat [S Venkataraghavan] and [Bishan] Bedi in the NCA [National Cricket Academy]. Their knowledge of the game is unimaginable.
To play under Sachin was a huge boost for me. It makes a lot of difference to be in the same team as Sachin and [Vinod] Kambli. Their thought process and reading of the game is of a very high level. I think I am a better bowler this season because of Sachin's advice in the Bangalore camp. He always told me not to think too much about batting technique but to play freely and get the desired results. I also learnt a lot from [Erapalli] Prasanna, Venkat [S Venkataraghavan] and [Bishan] Bedi in the NCA [National Cricket Academy]. Their knowledge of the game is unimaginable.
Ramesh Powar spoke to Siddhartha Vaidyanathan.