Akash Bhandari claimed four wickets in three overs without conceding a single run as Hyderabad skittled Himachal out for just 36 runs in the first innings in Guwahati in the fourth round of Ranji Trophy 2016-17. After the pacers had claimed the top half of the lineup, the leg-spinner polished off the rest to bundle the opposition out.
Discussing the situation when he was introduced into the attack and finishing with figures of 3-3-0-4 against his name he said, “I just bowled like I normally do. The fast bowlers were bowling well, it was a seaming wicket. Since one of our bowlers wanted to change ends so my captain (S Badrinath) had brought me in just for an over. (However) In the first over I got two wickets (S Verma and S Nirmohi) and so the captain asked me to continue bowling for a couple of overs and then I picked up another two (P Jaswal and G Singh).”
Asked which of the four wickets meant the most and that he had to work for, he said, “The first wicket; the batsman (Verma) was playing comfortably to the fast bowlers. He was set and looked like he would take the team along and I got the first wicket of that main player for Himachal who is amongst runs, who has got a hundred and fifty I believe. So taking his wicket and giving my team the breakthrough was very special I think.”
Discussing his bowling plan that helped him get the wickets, Bhandari said, “I just focused on my basics and didn’t think about anything else. I just wanted to pitch it in the right areas, and the ball was gripping a bit, there was moisture in the wicket so that helped me to get all those wickets.”
Asked about the advice he had received, he said, “Bharat Arun (coach) just asked me to bowl in the right areas. He had said bowling in right areas is good enough for your bowling as the wicket will do the rest. So, I just bowled in the right areas and got those wickets.”
Speaking about the preparations ahead of the season he said, “We have had very good preparation. We have roped in Bharat Arun sir and we also have S Badrinath as a professional (captain). Both are helping us a lot, (especially since) we being youngsters they are giving us a lot of inputs. They are giving us plans and we are just executing them and I think that is helping with the successes.”
Bhandari, who started playing cricket watching his father, who used to play for a club in Hyderabad made his first-class debut in 2012. “I used to go watch my father play and that got me interested in bowling. My father helped me with leg-spin initially and I just carried on,” he mentioned.
This only being the fourth match of the season, the youngster is looking forward to contribute to the team’s cause in the coming games. “There is a lot more cricket to come and we are looking forward to more outright wins. I personally feel I need to contribute more to the team, as much as possible” he concluded.
