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Chennai: At 30 and after 11 seasons of first class cricket, Subramaniam Badrinath’s quest for excellence continues and finally, the accolades and acknowledgement of his status as a quality batsman and a team man to the core are coming his way.

After a three-year break, Badrinath returns to the Indian ODI team that is set to sail for the West Indies in June and the long wait seems to be over for this affable cricketer.

In a free-wheeling interview to this website, Badrinath opens up and offers a peek into the attributes that makes him tick as a cricketer.

Excerpts:

On his transformation as a batsman over the years:

It is a combination of mental, physical and technical aspects. I am a guy who always looks for constant improvement for the betterment of my cricket. Whenever I try to better my cricket, I take it to the fullest possible. Since I have played so much cricket, I know exactly what I have to work on. Those are the things that I have been working on. Compared to previous years, I know my body better to the extent as to how to train. I am bit experienced as well so I know as to what I should do during different situations of the game too.

On batting in different positions:

It is not easy to play at different slots. It is tough to play at the lower order in 20-20. At lower order, you know the asking rate is high or you have to maintain the run rate straight away. It is added pressure. But having said that, I think that it is something I have learnt to do over the years and try and adapt to any situation. I try and play according to the situation rather than the bowler or the opposition. This has helped me over the last three years.

I have spoken about this a lot to Stephen Fleming and Dhoni. They believe that I am best suited to play up the order and also down the batting slots. Fleming used to tell me that I am the best in the tournament in this regard. When such comments come from a Coach, I feel proud. I enjoy doing it, but of course it is not easy to adapt to different situations.

On adapting:

Basically, It is a case of just understanding the game. Any cricketer would gain only when he understands the game better. If you understand the game, you will know what is required at that point exactly. Then, you can have a clear mind and go about it. That I think is the most important thing.

The great cricketers like Dhoni or Tendulkar or any other, they a shrewd cricketing mind. They understand the game well. That I think what differentiates the class players from the rest in business. I try to understand the game as much as I can. Here how much ever you practice, you cannot really create a match situation or what the rival bowler is going to try out against you.

On mental approach:

I have always observed Dhoni as a leader and what he does in different situations. The main thing is that he does not show his emotions outside. I think that is the key element and I am still learning it. Generally, we as Indians are always emotional in whatever we do.

But I think that if you could control your emotions on the field, you can think with a clear mind. Staying balanced, a steady mind and controlling your emotions in different situations are the factors that I am learning from my skipper Dhoni.

On seeking advice from former cricketers:

Yes, of course. I always go to the senior players like Sachin (Tendulkar), Rahul Dravid, Dhoni and others. I had chances to interact with Michael Hussey quite a lot. Of course, Matthew Hayden had given me lot of inputs in the past. I have a learnt a lot from these and other players as they had played lot of cricket and scored runs. Obviously, these guys have done well for their respective countries. They should have done a lot of right things in their career. I check with them on how they prepare, practice and go about things.

On Chennai Super Kings team:

For me, the team composition is excellent if go by the results that we have been producing during the last four years. Actually, you also have to credit it to the team Management, the owners and other support staff. They have always shown lot of confidence in players in our team. They have always supported us and never took their foot back. I think it is the combination of all these factors and that shows up in the results that we have achieved over the years.

On Dhoni and captaincy:

I must say that the way Dhoni understands the game is very phenomenal. People call it in different ways. Some call it mentally tough or mentally strong and some say he has a great mind. For me, it is his ability to understand the game at all levels. The swift manner in which he reads the game is to be appreciated. Besides his abilities in captaincy, it helps in his batting as well. I think that is the striking aspect that I admire about Dhoni.

On playing for India:

As a human being, I might have thought that I could have made the grade earlier, but never felt neglected. After all, there are people to do this selection job. I kept on improving my batting abilities and fielding besides keeping myself hundred per cent fit always with the hope that one day I will make a comeback.

On the West Indies tour:

I could not play in the first three one-day matches on the last tour because I landed rather late since I had to sort out problems in getting my visa. I went for the last two one-day ties but did not make the playing eleven. I am really hoping that I will get opportunities this time around. I will leave that part to the decision of the team management. On my part, I will try and do as much as I can. The good thing is that I am in good form, hitting the ball well and playing well. I will keep myself prepared well too.

Obviously, the pitches there are going to have a bit of bounce. They do not have great spinners in their side. I will prepare myself so that I can play well against the fast bowlers on bouncier wickets. I will also try and get whatever out of Dwayne Bravo during the next week or so.

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Chennai: When Andy Bichel speaks about attitude, he surely knows what he is talking about. It is this virtue that helped him survive the trauma of being dropped from the Australian team less than a year after he helped his country win the ICC World Cup in 2003.

His never-say-die attitude saw him bounce back to dominate the domestic scene while developing his hitherto hidden batting skills. It took a shoulder injury to stop this fiery all-rounder from Laidley, Queensland.

Now with the Chennai Super Kings as the bowling coach, Bichel, who dismissed the legendary Brian Lara no fewer than seven times during the 2003 series, is trying to pass on his skills to a new generation of players.

Excerpts:

Q: How do you sum up Chennai Super Kings’ bowling performance so far in IPL-4?

AB: We have performed fairly consistently with the ball this season. Now, at the back end of the tournament, I am hoping these skills will be shown when it counts. We have developed nicely as a bowling unit. It has been important to me that all our squad members are up skilling themselves all the time.

There are many different deliveries to that one can try and bring to the table in 20/20 cricket now, like slower balls, slower bouncers, change of pace, yorkers wide and straight, swinging the new ball and the old

Q: What factors dictate bowling composition in terms of spinners and seamers?

AB: We always look at the conditions or the surface we’re playing on to decide the team. Our bowling unit probably favors spin bowlers a little. This is because of conditions in Chennai’s home ground.

Q: Given that the Indian season is nearing its end and the amount of cricket played, do you feel the pitches are major influencing elements in the outcome of IPL matches?

AB: Yes, we are seeing teams trying and developing an advantage on their home grounds, but generally, the wickets have been outstanding for this year IPL.

For me, the important thing is that we hold on to what made T20 cricket exciting for the public and that was plenty of runs (6’s and 4’s with small boundaries)

Q: T20 is fast evolving in terms of tactics and technique, and is no more considered as “batsman friendly”, the strict regulations restricting the bowlers notwithstanding. In this context, how has the bowling evolved in this format over the past four to five seasons?

AB: The bowling has come a long way in a short space of time. All players have had develop new delivers, but I say that if you can swing that new ball, you are so dangerous because the batsmen are coming hard at you.

Q: Your experience so far in the IPL and the Chennai Super Kings team and the challenges that a bowling coach faces in IPl given the diversity of players hailing from different countries, systems, cultures etc.

AB: This is something I enjoy, but is also a challenge and I have to say I love a challenge and working with all the boys at this year’s IPL with most of the guys at different stages of their careers.

It’s important to me that all players are developing new skills every time we train or are around the team environment.

This is really important to me as a coach that I making an environment for them to learn and improve new skills.

Q: Your message, if any, to the fans of Chennai Super Kings.

AB: ATTITUDE IS A LITTLE THING THAT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE!

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Chennai: Taking a break from the hectic schedule of the Indian Premier League, Ravichandran Ashwin took time out to speak his mind and heart while saying that he is enjoying the responsibilities of being one of the mainstays of the Chennai Super Kings.

In a wide-ranging interview to your website, the 24-year old off-spinner spoke at length of his development as a World-class bowler, the process he is following and of course, his IPL experience.

Excerpts:

On IPL 2010 vs IPL 2011 and change in role:

Comparing my last year’s performance to that of this year is totally non-negotiable. I do not think last year I was even on par with this year. The difference was that I was given opportunities to show what I was capable of in different conditions. With regard to what has been happening, it is phenomenal and I am exceedingly happy with what is going on.

There is more responsibility with the role that I have attained with the team and it is much more than what I was doing last year. Then, I was just a youngster walking into the team to show my own potential and fly high. This year, it is more about passion and more about working on skill and more about resting and taking on responsibilities in the team’s bowling line up.

The entire team’s success and planning comes in when you are one of the mainstays in the team. It is lot more different that just a dynamic role and I am taking the responsibility. Responsibility is a right that I attained with the Chennai Super Kings and it is fine since it is my place and I need to play for the entire pride of the city and play for my State.

On playing in IPL and its cricketing impact:

Basically IPL is a great platform for youngsters to step up to play and be counted. You get to know what is expected and what kind confidence is exhibited on the field. In IPL, you play against players from different countries and the overall challenge is to raise your game and match up to that.

Actually, it is focusing on our own strength. The entire system of culture has changed and having to get to know them and getting runs off them is just another day and it is not just a game. It is not about physical stuff, but about skills which I think the IPL is pitching up and showing the cricketers about what it is all about. It means that if you perform in IPL and stand up to the demands and sustain, it gives you the confidence that it is just the same with International cricket.

On his bowling, mentor and coach:

My all time mentor and coach have been Sunil Subramanian and WV Raman. They both have contributed immensely to what I am today. I do not think basic instincts or basic stuff with regard to your bowling equipments gives you a strong base. It is something to do with technique of a batsman and I am still a good batsman down the order. I know quite a bit what it is all about. If you have a sound technique and sound front foot defense in place, it will work around a strong base.

As a bowler, once you know you can land the ball in a particular line, then that is the key. When you are confident of your own art, then there is scope for innovations and fooling the batsmen. I think it is most important that when as a youngster you bowled enough and start thinking about why these batsmen are coming down heavily on me.

Raman did that very consistently with me and it is paying rich dividends and Sunil Subramaniam has been my master with respect to my art. The attacking instinct that I possess in my bowling can be attributed to Sunil. I and Sunil worked around a lot. We just talk very freely. Even if it is a most stupid thing, I never hold it back from him. To be honest, the silliest thing that we have talked has come out as the most attacking weapons for us because we discuss.

We have discussed many aspects for different formats of the game. You should have someone who will not agree with you so that you get to see the flip side. You can always go back to the drawing board and correct yourself. I think Sunil has been a good drawing board and sparring partner for me.



I still keep in touch with both. After every game, we are in touch with each other by messages or calls. Anything to do with basics and psychological, I go to Raman, and Sunil will always bounce back with ideas. I go back to him and say what it is all about and he will criticize me if my attacking is not good enough.

Chennai Super Kings winning matches is my priority and I cannot be a single individual wanting to execute my own thing. I always had discussions on that and most often it has yielded results. The drawing board is very important for me. I still keep working on something because you do not know what it is going to come out right.

On rapport with Suraj Randiv:

Randiv and I have very good rapport. We (the Super Kings) will miss him. Though he is senior to me having played more international matches for Sri Lanka, Randiv has been fantastic as a person and he used to listen to me and we discuss about our games.

On pitches for IPL matches and Super Kings bowling:

The Chennai strips have not played any different tricks this season. It is just that the Chennai wickets are little slower and not spinning much. In fact, many other wickets in the country are much slower. To be honest, teams come in for matches here and think that the wicket is going to turn square and they play spinners. Some teams like Rajasthan Royals played with more spinners.

I think the Super Kings bowling has been remarkable this year. We have done very well as a unit. I will very proudly say that bowlers have done better than batters this year and we have won many games for the team this year. However, you do not differentiate between bowlers and batsmen in this particular format of cricket. It is just that we are all one unit and stand up. It is the combination that has been working well for us.

On Dhoni and consistency:

It is quite hard (to be consistent). T-20 cricket is too demanding. It is hard to be consistent as a group. One has to be really on the mark. Of course, the focus has to be there. To be honest, I must credit Mahendra Singh Dhoni for this. He is a rare breed in the entire cricketing fraternity. He takes a loss beautifully. He knows how to take a loss. He understands that a loss is part and parcel of the game. He accepts the fact that there are two teams and one team has to lose.

I have been attached with this team for four years. This is the only team that puts a strong eleven every game and never changes its eleven. Even if a critic says that this guy has to play and that guy has better potential, still Dhoni trusts his players and keeps his faith on them. Digesting a loss is one of Dhoni’s biggest assets. He does it beautifully and instills confidence in his players.

On fitness and diet:

If you are physically strong enough, I think mentally you get that edge. I just find about 20 minutes to attend to my workouts on a daily basis. I concentrate on my gym work. By nature, I am a big foody and unfortunately I am one of those guys who puts on weight. Even if I have a gulab jamoon today it shows up the next day in my weight. I am quite unlucky in this respect, but I am quite rigid with my diet.

On the tour to West Indies:

I am very happy playing for my country. It is a lovely opportunity to play against some new players. You get to play on new wickets and in different conditions. It is all a new challenge. Physically, I am confident. I have never been worried about my skills, but you cannot pull a rabbit out of your hat every time. I try and remain hundred per cent on both aspects.

On Badrinath’s inclusion in Indian team:

First of all, I am extremely happy for this man. He has been a phenomenal run scorer. For his having possessed such skills, Badri would have played for any national side. He is just an exemplary run scorer but he has been rather unlucky having been born in an era where there is so much talent in Indian cricket. Still, he has been knocking at the doors quite frequently by smashing the runs all over the place. In this IPL, Badri is just nothing short of sharpness. He has always been ahead in the game and looked for improvement. These are all the traits of a very high professional and this something I have learnt from Badri. I am very happy for him.

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By Krishna Kanta Chakraborty | TNN

Chennai: In 2008, when he got a contract from Chennai Super Kings, Ravichandran Ashwin was an unknown commodity. It was in the third IPL in 2010 that he made a mark and a brilliant Champions League campaign helped him earn MS Dhoni’s trust and since then, the Chennai boy has never looked back.

He became the highest wicket-taker in the home ODI series against New Zealand last year and getting a place in the World Cup squad was the icing on the cake for the 24-year-old spinner.

Ashwin spoke to TOI about his career and aspirations in the upcoming World Cup.

Excerpt:

How difficult was the journey?

There were several issues I had to deal with and I did all those with a lot of conviction. I am always serious about my studies and always wanted to complete my engineering degree. On the other hand, I dreamt of playing for the country from my childhood. But playing domestic cricket and concentrating on my studies were not easy. But things have changed now. I am a graduate engineer and started representing my country as well.

First World Cup… you must be very excited?

(Laughs) Who won’t be? A place in the World Cup squad is like a dream come true for me. Nothing can be more satisfying than that. I am truly happy and looking forward to have a fantastic World Cup campaign.

Earning the skipper’s trust is important for a player and playing alongside Dhoni in CSK was an advantage for you. How do you look at it?

Yes, of course. Dhoni has been a guiding force for me and I am thankful to him for the support. I wasn’t an automatic choice in the Chennai Super Kings (team) in the first and second editions as they were more comfortable playing Muralitharan. So, I had to wait for my turn. But I never lost heart and always kept fighting for it.

I am thankful to (coach) Stephen Fleming and the Chennai Super Kings team management for showing faith in me. I could not play a single match in IPL-1 and had played only two matches in the second. Though I didn’t do much in South Africa, after spending 44 days with the team, I became a different person and learnt a lot as a cricketer.

But things completely changed in the third IPL and I became a regular and after I became the man of the tournament in the Champions League, I had never looked back.

Your mentor Sunil Subramaniam (former TN spinner) feels you are different from other
bowlers in many ways...

Sunil was the man who detected talent in me. He is my mentor, friend, philosopher and guide… Sunil talked about my ability to open the bowling for Super Kings. Let me explain this, in the last IPL, Dhoni asked me to open the bowling against Mumbai at Chepauk and I did a decent job.

As a bowler, I have the freedom and Dhoni never instructs me how to do it. He doesn’t pressurise me by giving too much advice. I don’t tinker much with my bowling as it can be harmful. But of course, I think and try to do new things when there is a need.

Are you working on your carom ball?

Yes, on a regular basis. It comes to me naturally and I bowl a carom ball for variation. But you just can’t depend on your carom ball always.

How do you rate India’s chances in the World Cup?

We are one of the favourites as we’ll be playing in the sub-continent. Things are completely different here. We have had a very good series against South Africa and the way we handled their pace attack, the team has got massive boost before the World Cup. We have a huge chance to win the Cup again and we will give it our best shot.

-- reproduced with permission from The Times of India