Mumbai, Dec 23: Off-spinner Ramesh Powar, a consistent performer for Mumbai over the years, followed up his five-for against Uttar Pradesh in his side’s previous Ranji encounter match with an innings of 81 against Punjab.
In the post-match media interaction, the 33-year-old veteran spoke about Mumbai’s chances of winning the current match and his form with the bat and ball.
Excerpts:
On the ongoing match against Punjab
There are still 90 overs to go and they are zero for four. Basically we have to get them out before lunch; then there is the chance [of a win]; but th wicket seems [good] [for] the batsmen still. It’s not turning, [but] the bounce is very good. It’s not difficult to bat on, actually. We are hoping we can get them out in the first two hours.
On his performance with the bat on Day 3
I enjoyed it. It’s [been] a long time; I thought, let’s hit some balls. I tried to have some fun, because [we were] playing at Wankhede after a long time. It’s a ground where you have to play shots, otherwise you get out. It’s as simple as that. If you bat in a shell, you will get out.
On getting a five-for in the previous match
Yes, the season so far has been good and I am enjoying my bowling. If you are batting and bowling well it’s good for the team.
On whether getting wickets has helped
That has also helped. All the wickets in the first three games were flat. Not the Railways one, but the CCI one was very flat, and they were high-scoring games. It was a little difficult to get wickets on such tracks. I was happy [that] I was playing away because I was getting some help.
On a season of landmarks
It was a good season. I completed 400 wickets in the first game and [now] Wasim [Jaffer][has become Ranji’s highest run-scorer]. It’s good to be there. To take 400 wickets is a nice feeling and to see Wasim Jaffer [too]; he always scores runs for [either] Bombay or West Zone or India.
On comparing the new record holder, Wasim Jaffer, with the previous one, Amol Muzumdar
Amol was very gritty and Wasim is very classy.
On the wicket at Wankhede
This is a good wicket. It’s good for bowlers and batsmen but still you have to bowl very well. It might turn [on Day 4] after lunch.
On the mindset of the Mumbai team given that they have already qualified for the knockouts
We just want to play good cricket and we want to keep that rhythm going. If we lose that momentum of playing good cricket, [it will be] difficult to play [in the] knockouts. We try and play positive cricket, enjoy and play our own role and if we win, [that’s] good. And we know if we all play to our potential, we [will] get an outright [win]; we get whatever result we want. […] We take it step-by-step.
On whether an outright win was possible
Yes, why not. Six wickets to get, four batsmen are out, Karan is injured so realistically there is a chance. [In the] first two hours how we bowl is important. [For the] first one hour we’ll try and take three wickets; then automatically things will happen. The next three [wickets] you will get.
On being the only consistent bowler in the team and Mumbai being in the process of trying new bowlers
It is also a concern but Dhawal [Kulkarni] was unlucky. He got around 15 or 18 wickets but catches were dropped off his bowling; I think eight or nine catches were dropped. In Orissa he got four wickets and the next ball he bowled a catch was dropped. It was unlucky and it was a concern. If we want to win the championship, we have to take five wickets as a bowler. Every bowler has to.
On the spin department
This is a rebuilding phase. After Sairaj [Bahutale] and Nilesh [Kulkarni], we are trying to [instill] confidence in Iqbal [Abdulla] and Ankit [Chavan]. If they come good, they will serve [us] long. Ankit is [about] 26, Iqbal is 21 […]
On there being no competition for him given the absence of off-spinners in the side
I am competing with myself. […] A good left-arm spinner can also take wickets so I don’t think that way. I have to bowl well to stay in the side.
On the knockouts
The quarterfinals are about getting a first-innings lead. Nowadays normally you get flat tracks, so it’s better [that] you get a first-innings lead; that’s important.
On Mumbai going into the knockouts without some of their core players like Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Zaheer Khan (away on national duty), and others down with injury
It happens. With Mumbai, two or three guys will always be playing for India. We try and [see it as] an opportunity for youngsters. Surya [Kumar Yadav] is scoring runs for us and Hiken Shah scored a hundred when he came back into the side. It’s an opportunity and we are a good batting side.
On whether Abishek Nayar would be fit to play the knockouts
He will be fit for the quarterfinals, hopefully. That’s what we are hoping and he is on track. If he plays, we are a good batting side.
