NEWS
MATCH REPORTS
DIARY
OTHER SPORTS
SLIDE SHOW
PEOPLE
ARCHIVES

The Rediff Interview / Sitanshu Kotak

'I wanted to prove my class, so I was delighted that I got a hundred against Srinath and Kumble'

Sitanshu Hargovind Kotak is finally in the India 'A' team. Captain of the Saurashtra Ranji Trophy team, he was jubilant when Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Saurashtra Cricket Association, broke the news about his selection to him. "It is dream come true," was his immediate reaction.

A left-hand batsman, Sitanshu was among the top ten Ranji Trophy run-getters last season. He began this season too in grand style, scoring a superb century against Karnataka while playing for Rest of India in the Irani Cup at Bangalore. He is the type of batsmen who like occupying the crease for long spells and piling runs. In fact, he has to his credit a fifty in almost every innings he has batted in. And that certainly speaks volumes of his temperament. Suresh Parekh spoke to him soon his selection.

So, finally you made it to the India "A' team...

I am very, very pleased. I have been working hard on my game for last three-four years. So, all the hard work is now paying off.

It is going to be your first foreign tour, and expectations are high. Does that put any extra pressure on you?

Not really. I have full confidence in my abilities. True, it is my first overseas tour while playing for India 'A'. But I have played lot of cricket in England -- club cricket. So that experience is definitely useful.

When Jadeja got injured did you sense that you may get a chance after missing the bus in the original party?

Yes and no. Because I wasn't sure who would be picked in place of Ajay Jadeja. I did sense my place if someone would be selected from the India 'A' team. However, at the same time, I thought that incase somebody is picked from the India 'A' team, a replacement might not be required. Anyway, I am really happy that finally I got a chance and am hopeful and confident of making the most of the opportunity.

It is said that you were the most disappointed person in the world when you were not selected in the original team...

Yes, I was shocked; I could not believe it because in the last season I scored 788 runs. I also scored a century in the Duleep Trophy against East Zone, which helped West Zone in taking a slender lead. And this year, when I scored 118 against Karnataka - with Srinath, Doda Ganesh and Kumble bowling - in front of all the five selectors, I was sure I would make it to the team.

Is it true that the selectors were misinformed about your age?

I also came to know about something like that. At the team selection meeting, Mr. Chandu Borde had said that the selectors are looking for young batsmen and bowlers who have the potential to play for India. This statement may have been the result of my wrong age that was passed on to him and his colleagues. They thought that I am 30-plus, but actually I turned 27 only in October. As far as the India 'A' team is concerned, there are quite a few players who are older than me.

How did it feel when you learnt you weren't in the team even after performing so well in domestic cricket?

I was very upset that day. You won't believe, but I couldn't sleep till 3.30 in the morning. But then I said to myself 'the new season is just starting, let me perform better'.

You had a word with Chandu Borde too when he came to see the one-day match between India and New Zealand. What did he say to you?

He encouraged me. He told me not to get disappointed and be more positive.

It is learnt that the selectors were unimpressed with your stance and style of batting?

I don't know anything about that. I think, as a left-hander, I may not be a graceful, elegant stroke player. But as a batsman, my only aim is to score runs heavily. And I think I am very consistent that way. After all, it is runs that count, not style.

As a batsman, what is your speciality?

When I go to the crease I always think of a century. Perhaps the best thing of batting is temperament, which is perhaps the key to my success. Besides, you require lot of patience too.

Your best knock so far? It has to be my century at Bangalore this season in the Irani Cup. This was the match in which I got a century against the virtual Indian pace and spin attack of Srinath and Kumble. Besides, the wicket wasn't easy to play on. The very fact that only Sodhi got half a century on either side says enough. I also liked my century against East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, which again guided West Zone to a berth in the final. At the same time, I also remember my 76 runs against Mumbai in my debut match.

Your bowling skills too have been underrated...

I am not a regular bowler in the real sense. Yes, I love to bowl and I bowl regularly in the Ranji one-day and four-day matches. Last year I got six wickets in the Duleep Trophy match against Central Zone. Yes, I think I have got a different type of bowling action and on occasion batsmen take my bowling easy and that helps to get more wickets.

How was it while facing Srinath and Kumble in the Irani Cup?

Oh, it was a great experience. Last year I got a chance to play a three-day match against Pakistan but I wasn't successful. Though I had a fruitful partnership with Jacob Martin, my individual score wasn't impressive. So, I wanted to prove my class against genuine Test match bowlers. And I am happy that I did it against the top two bowlers of the world, Srinath and Kumble.

People