Mumbai, Mar 24: Delhi held their nerve as they beat Railways by one run to enter the semi-finals of the Syed Mustaq Ali tournament. Skipper Rajat Bhatia who played a starring role in the victory revealed that he felt a big knock was around the corner.
Excerpts from his post-match press interaction:
On his powerful knock ahead of the IPL
Yes. I knew that somewhere down the line I will be scoring runs. I was not sure when because I was hitting the ball pretty well in the nets. I was practising hard. In the IPL I hardly get chance to bat. I normally bat down the order but few hits are always required. Whatever role you are playing you have to do [well]. Today I got the opportunity and somehow I also got the runs. It was good. The wicket was very good.
On whether the 75 runs of the last five overs helped
It is a good wicket. Those 75 runs definitely [helped], I played throughout the innings that was required from a batsman who normally is getting runs and is keeping an eye on the ball so well for so long. And that was one of the reasons I think why we have made a lot of difference. But still they came very close and if normally during fielding if we save few runs that would have helped us.
On this T20 tournament being played ahead of IPL
Well, I think we shouldn’t be keeping an eye only on the IPL, we should look at this [tournament ] also because there are so many guys who don’t get chance to play in the IPL they normally play this tournament. And if they are doing well they have a good thing to play on a bigger platform like IPL.
On the wicket
[...] Scoring here and taking wickets is also a challenge on these kinds of wickets and everybody [has to] take that [challenge].
On taking two wickets
I was a bit tired but started bowling somehow; I managed myself. I was getting cramps but it was good somehow I bowled and I got wickets too.
On giving the last over to Mithun Manhas
Mithun is an experienced guy and we can rely on those guys who actually have played a lot of cricket so I thought he actually would be the best guy to bowl that over. He kept his nerve and bowled well.
I didn’t know [I was going to give] Mithun the ball. But because left-handers were batting he bowled and was bowling well. [....]
On playing for India
I am keeping myself fit. [...] I am giving my best and enjoying my game. It is up to the selectors. [...] I am working hard. If I get a chance I will definitely try to do well. It is a dream come true for each and every guy. There are many guys who haven’t played for the country but everyone has [that dream] if you are taking retirement from domestic cricket [and haven’t played for the country] there is regret that you have not played for India. [...].
On international players playing in the tournament
[...] It is a good thing that international cricketers are playing here [...] I would love to see our Delhi stars coming and playing the next few games, lets win the championship for Delhi.
On captaincy
It is good actually. In one-dayers I started [captaining]. The guys are very young and a little inexperienced. The more they play, the more they will get confidence and the better they can perform so you have to keep that faith in each and everyone.
On playing the semi-final at BKC
I am not too sure about BKC, [The Bandra-Kurla Complex ground] don’t know how it is going to behave. Before coming to Brabourne [Stadium] I was not sure about this track. [...].
