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The Rediff Interview / Debashish Mohanty

'If I tried something different I wouldn't have played for India'

What went through your mind when you found out that you were picked for the World Cup?

After not being picked in the 19 for the World Cup probables, and then suddenly picked from the 30 was a thrilling experience. When I was not picked in the 19 I couldn't believe it. I thought I would be in the 19 though I was not sure whether I would be in the 14. But I was very sure I would be in the 19. I saw the news at least 10 times hoping that it might be wrong. 'He might be wrong', I thought every time the newscaster would announce the 19 names. After that everybody called up and said I would be picked again for the squad.

Then after that you found out that you were in the 14?

Yes, then again I saw the news at least two, three times. I couldn't believe that I was not in the 19 and suddenly picked for the 15. I think God had something to with it, otherwise it wouldn't have happened like this. I can believe if Saurav Ganguly, Srinath or Kumble were involved, but not me.

Why don't you have confidence in your talent? You were picked because of you talent?

I know, but what I am saying? See Attapattu was not in the 19 but he has played so much of cricket; and likewise Tom Moody. They have played a lot of cricket; they were only coming back. Not with Debashish Mohanty who has played league for one-and-a-half years of cricket.

You were so aggressive during the World Cup. Especially in the game against England... you were staring at Graham Thorpe when he said something?

It happens actually; everybody is trying to perform for their country, and all these players come out and say something.

Did he say anything to you?

No, I just stared at him because Jadeja said, 'Don't say anything to him just keep staring right back.'

You looked so aggressive. For the first time since Venkatesh Prasad, an Indian fast bowler was actually giving it back to the batsman.... What was the feeling like? Because the whole stadium was full of Indians.

Playing the World Cup is something different, you know. That was a different match for us because we had to win that match to qualify for the Super Sixes. Everybody was charged up; Jadeja played a brilliant innings; Dada also scored some runs and took some wickets. Everybody was looking forward to that match to give their best and qualify for the Super Sixes.

How did it feel when you got the new ball to bowl?

I was a bit surprised because instead of Prasad, Azhar asked me to open the bowling. I thought that they had faith in me and I have to prove myself. We won the match and everybody came and congratulated me.

But then, not making it to the semi-finals must have been very disappointing?

I thought that match against Zimbabwe was very costly; that ruined our plans. Otherwise, we would have qualified.

Is it true that someone had sent instructions?

No, I don't know about others, but nobody asked me to go and say something.

Who ran out to give the drinks just before that over?

I didn't go. I went only till the 42nd over. From then, till the end I did not go.

So you didn't give them any message?

No.

After that who went to give the message?

I don't know. I was there on the ground. Nikhil (Chopra) and I were sitting there on the ground.

Now tell me about the Australian tour. How was the team feeling?

It was a good experience and I have learnt to bowl a good line and length. Because in Australia, good bouncy tracks are there; not like in India. In India, if you hit the seam, it will not move and come on to the bat; but there, if you hit the seam it will bounce. In Australia there is no track movement but bounce. You have to hit the deck. You have to bowl a good line and length.

What about the one-day games?

Actually, I didn't bowl that well. I bowled well in both the matches against Pakistan, but I gave away 76 runs in the slog overs. I knew that in the slog overs either I would be hit or would get wickets.

After that I played a match against Pakistan in Adelaide and bowled well with figures off 10 overs 41 runs and 2 wickets. Against Australia I didn't bowl well.

Was it because you hadn't played for a month?

No, it doesn't matter, because before that I had played two matches. I didn't bowl well actually. I should have bowled line and length.

Were you told that you were not going to be in the eleven?

No, nothing like that. Because the team would have been decided before every game. Depending on the conditions the side would be picked.

How do you feel about the fact that despite being in the team for four years you are still not in the permanent playing eleven? What is going through your mind? Are you going to go the way Dodda Ganesh went? Everybody said he is very promising bowler; today he is not there in the reckoning. How do you feel?

No, Srinath and Prasad are doing well for the country, and also is Agarkar. I want to be in that reckoning. Whenever I get a chance I will have to perform. If I am good I will be picked.

Doesn't that put extra pressure?

No, whoever is playing has pressure; even Ganguly has pressure. Everybody is going through this track. If you perform well you will be there in the team. Those who are there in the team have to perform well also. Everybody has pressure. Whatever cricket I play .... Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy or in the side game also, I have to perform well. Then only I will get in the side. Otherwise, I won't be there.

How did you decide on taking to fast bowling -- that too in Orissa -- when you know that India doesn't really produce fast bowlers? Kapil Dev was the only one.

That time I never thought that I would have been a pace bowler. After seeing Kapil Dev I started bowling fast. We didn't have much knowledge about the nature of the wickets at that time.

But had you known about the nature of wickets in India then you maybe wouldn't have been a fast bowler. Would you have tried to be a batsman or a wicketkeeper?

If I tried something different I wouldn't have played for India.

Why are not enough cricketers coming from Orissa? Only this year we have seen S S Das? What is the reason?

There is no dearth of talent. Talent is there, but main thing is facilities. The infrastructures and facilities are scarce.

Has the Orissa Cricket Association helped you much?

They have helped a lot, but they don't have any sponsors. There are hardly any turf wickets in Orissa. There are just two or three wickets in Orissa. Before I played for India, I used to play on matting wickets. It was only in the Ranji Trophy that I played on the turf wicket. For batsmen it's okay, but for bowlers, on matting it bounces, and you have to adjust.

The scenario has changed now that players like Parida, Raul and S S Das have arrived. I think Das has been consistent since the last two years. Sanjay Raul has been there and also is Pravanjan Malik. He went to West Indies with the India 'A' side. A lot of youngsters are coming up.

Why is it that more and more players from Orissa are now coming into the limelight?

This time five players from Orissa played for East Zone. Because we are the champions from the zone.

Besides cricket, what do you do?

I play badminton. I was fond of tennis but I didn't play the game that well.

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