Cricket Talk #5
Guest : Mahesh Mohanty
Raj : First of all thanks for participating in this interview Mahesh.
Mahesh : Raj, Thanks for having me here. I am very excited for this. Let's start.
Raj : What made you a cricket fan (or What connected you to this sport) ?
Mahesh : Its all because of my father (Big fan of Sachin), he used to watch cricket matches a lot and I used to play cricket in my childhood for fun. But I think it was the year 2002, Ind vs Eng Natwest series final When I started to love cricket. It was a high voltage final match and before that india had a very bad history of losing finals. After scoring 325 England are very confident to win that match and they should be because those days around 250 in Odi's considered to be a gud defending total. But chasing mammoth total of 325 india started really well and all credit goes to dada and viru, specially dada because he was striking at very good rate (that six over the covers) leading from the front and scored a quick 50(very underrated innings), everything was going fine but then wicket falls one by one and once again India are on backfoot in finals. After Sachin wicket my family lost all the hopes everyone went away and busy with their work. Then me alone watching the match I don't know why but maybe I liked the start of the innings so some hope is there inside me. Slowly slowly kaif and Yuvi partnership going strong then everyone in my family came back to watch. This is first time india recovered so well after losing early 5 wickets in Odi's. And at the end the winning runs from zaheer we all shouted, its was an unbelievable feeling and dada removing and waving his T-shirt at lords. I think that was mine one of the best memories of India cricket. After that i loved this sport so much that i played in my gully, school wherever i find any opportunity or tournaments.
Raj : WoW, Now Tell me who is your favorite player and Why ?
Mahesh : TBH there are many, But If I have to pick one then my all time favourite player is Sachin not only because he is one of the greatest cricketer but also he is a good human being too. And Dhoni too because of his sharp mind in captaincy.
Currently if i have to choose then Its always Rohit Sharma because first time i saw him playing for india vs SA at Durban,SA in 2007 WT20. I really like his batting under pressure(as india lost 4 wks in 10ovs) hitting boundaries against one of the best bowling attack of that tournament with ease. Playing all his shots whether its front foot or backfoot. Played a fine crucial knock of 50 runs. And one more reason he came to national team as a spin bowling allrounder then he worked hard so much and perfect his skills as a best Batsman. Such a clean hitter and sweet timer of the ball and after Ricky ponting Rohit sharma is best puller and hooker i have seen specially front foot pull shot its very difficult shot to play but as Rohit has that 1 extra second so he plays pull shot comfortably.
Raj : Your favorite Indian Cricket Memory ?
Mahesh : Ohh come on not again, you already know there will be many. Frankly speaking its impossible to pick one but I will go with 2007 WT20 win or whole tournament you can say. Because prior to T20WC 2007, we lost ODI WC 2007 badly and Chappell thing was going on and totally its disturbance in Indian Cricket. Taking chance with new young team with many fine players was risk. But team india played brilliantly in the group stages then in between the bowl out drama and all time fav. 6 sixes from yuvi and also beating mighty SA in their home was incredible then beating Aus in semifinal was different feeling all together. Then the classic rivalry ind vs pak that match no one can forget this line "In the air Sreesanth takes it" A nail biting finish to that match. I was unfortunate that I didn't saw Kapil dev lifting trophy but i felt so lucky to watch MS Dhoni lifting T20WC with youngsters as no one thought india can win WC with this newly young team. After that everyone in my locality was so happy that they started celebrating the win. Out of many this is the best cricket memory of mine.
Raj : Mahesh, No doubt from 2007 T20 WC We're watching a new and fearless generation Indian cricket. Now I want to know about your Top 3 Favourite ODI knocks (Of Your fav. Players) ?
Mahesh : Sachin 98 v pak in 2003 WC smashing world best fast bowling attack everywhere. That lofted upper cut over the point became the highlight of that Innings.
Rohit 264 vs Srilanka in eden gardens, Its not against the best bowling attack but come on its not just a 100 its 264 and that's huge. After Rohit crossed 150 even he touches the ball it goes to boundry. He alone outplayed whole srilanka team because they didn't even able to score 264.
Dhoni's 97 v Srilanka 2011 WC, Because Dhoni promoted himself one up the order and its a big risky decision it could have gone in either way but as we all know its Mahi way and he delivers on big day. And "Dhoni finishes off in style India wins the World cup party starting in the dressing room" this moment always be inside of every indian fans.
Raj : Very Nice Picks Mahesh, Now My next question to you is - "Which overseas cricket conditions you like most and why ?"
Mahesh : A little bit of green top pitch with overcast condition I liked the most because that will be the equal challenging to both batsman and bowler. Its not easy for batsman to survive the new ball as the ball will swing and seam in starting part of innings. Its too challenging for a bowler as well because they have to ball to a particular length and try to moves the ball from there. I think here its all about battle of patience that who will lose first.
Raj : You mean England and SA conditions ? Right ?
Mahesh : Yeah England and South Africa. Both having swinging and seaming pitches.
Raj : Your opinion on Day Night Test Matches ?
Mahesh : I always support new things that helps test cricket to grow more because its the best thing you can experience in cricket. Though the pink ball offers more to bowlers under lights but at same time it also testing Batsman skills and techniques. Batsman can learn alot from day night test matches so as bowler.
Raj : Some words on India's emerging star Risabh Pant ?
Mahesh : Pant is a future of Indian cricket . He is one of the rare talent who can dominate both shorter and bigger format of game. As couple of years passed he overcome the bad phase of his life and shown patience and determination on the field with bat. Maybe he is not that good with gloves like others in competition but I think he should play as a batsman and simultaneously he can work on his keeping skills as well. I hope management will take care of him this time properly.
Raj : Your opinion on the fanwars ?
Mahesh : I think fanwars or fanfight - It all started with IPL. Before that there is one and Only india cricket fans. Nowadays its viratian, Rohitian, dhonian etc. I always prefer a healthy fanwars among all the fans because that's promotes good and exciting cricketing action. But due to fanwars and toxic fan base some teams also feels pressures winning matches and Trophy. And unnecessary dragging someone with big names creates fanfight. As a cricket fan we should all support cricket. Nothing we can gain by spreading hatred among our players. We should stop this or else away from toxic fans.
Raj : IPL boon or bane? Can you explain it's both aspects ?
Mahesh : Definitely A Boon from my side. See its all boils down to one thing 'getting as much as talents' . More tournaments happens, More will be talents. Just think once India having a population of 1.3 billion and out of that 15 will selected for team. There are bunch of cricketing talents out there in every corner of India but not every talented Players can able to make up for team india squad. IPL gives opportunity to these players to showcase their skills and talents. And don't forget biggest finding of IPL is Bumrah,Hardik, chahal and many more who are doing well at home and away as well.
Bane only for one reason that is fanwars. Some toxic fans fight are so bad that people now blaming IPL for this.
Raj : All time Best Test opening pair according to you and why ?
Mahesh : Sehwag - Dravid for sure. Both has different style of approach while batting. One tries to hit the ball to make it old and other tries to leave the ball to make the ball old.They are both successful with their respective approach so It could be more entertaining to watch both as an openers.
Raj : According to you who can pass Lara's record in Tests and why ?
Mahesh : TBH I don't think anyone can break the lara record of 400 because for scoring 400 you definitely required gud focus, determination and patience. And today's generation lacks lit bit of patience . Having said that I still thinks Rohit can break this 400 barrier cause he has that ability to score big and we all know that how fast he scores once he cross 150 or 200 runs mark.
Raj : At last, I again thank you for giving me your time. Thanks.
Mahesh : Thank you buddy for this interview. You are really doing a great job keep continuing like this. Your questions are nice and To the point. Will catch-up again in future soon👍🙌
Raj : Thanks 😊
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Thanks for reading ✏😊
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