Q&A: Shadab Jakati
Shadab Jakati is back in the IPL mix; this time with a new team, Gujarat Lions. In the recent auction, he was the only Goan from nearly 700 cricketers to represent the State and was picked ahead of international stars like Hashim Amla, Usman Khawaja and Pragyan Ojha. In a freewheeling interview with Basil Sylvester Pinto, the former Goa Ranji captain talks about his latest stint in IPL. Excerpts:
Q: You return to the IPL fold after missing out last season. How does it feel?
SJ: It means a lot to me. I am super excited and cannot wait to be out on the ground and do well.
Q: You will play for the new entrants, Gujarat Lions. Your views on the new team.
SJ: We have a very good, balanced side with a lot of experienced players who have played a lot in the IPL like (Dwayne) Bravo, (Suresh) Raina, (Brendon) McCullum, (Dwayne) Smith. We have pretty good all-rounders like (James) Faulkner, Smith and (Ravindra) Jadeja that makes the squad a balanced side. I am happy to be part of the team.
Q: How would you review your domestic performances in the recently concluded season?
SJ: It was a very good season for me. That may have probably helped me to get back to play in the IPL. This, because the talent scouts have become smart in identifying players of potential and are keeping track of various domestic teams. I had a very good season with 45 wickets. I had a good T20 tourney in Baroda earlier this year where I bowled well and also had a five-wicket haul in a T20 game against a star-studded Delhi side with a good economy rate through the tourney. Looking at my recent domestic performances, I was pretty confident I would be picked up in the auction.
Q: How do you look back at your IPL career?
SJ: It has been a good experience for me. I have done pretty well and been part of a champion side like Chennai Super Kings, contributing to their success. For them, I played in more than 50 games and picked over 45 wickets at a decent economy rate. I have been part of the CSK side which won the IPL twice (2010 and 2011) and were the runner-ups in 2012 and 2013. We also won the Champions League T20 in 2010. With RCB, I have not played much, only a game. but the experience with the Bengaluru side has been good, sharing the dressing room with different players and learning from them tricks of the trade.
Q: Have you added any new variations to your bowling armoury?
SJ: Yes, I have worked on quite a few deliveries that I used in the ODIs and T20s which have been pretty effective in getting results. If I continue to bowl in the IPL the same way I'm bowling now, I will be more successful than I was in the past. I have worked on the pace of the ball in the air and also developed a carrom ball and a skidder as well. So yes, I am feeling good that I have these variations in my bowling.
Q: MS Dhoni has been your captain for the larger part of your IPL career. What has been his influence on your game?
SJ: It has been huge. The way he has used me at CSK has helped me a lot. He used to bring me on to bowl at the right time. He has used me in the power play, middle overs and death overs. Playing alongside him has helped me become more mature and mentally tough.
Q: Suresh Raina is your captain with the new side. How will it be playing under his captaincy?
SJ: We all know that Raina is a top batsman in T20 cricket. He has an amazing T20 record and I really look forward to playing under him. It will be very exciting as we have played together previously (for CSK). He knows me inside out. We also faced each other this domestic season and told me that he has noticed a lot of changes in my bowling. In fact, in a UP-Goa one-dayer, I got him out.
Q: Any specific targets for the forthcoming IPL season?
SJ: None as such. But the focus is to improve every day, sticking to the basics and continue to do what I am doing this season. I know the conditions. I have the experience of bowling to good batsmen in the IPL. I am confident that I will have a good tourney.
