Interview with Ishwar Pandey:"One casual decision changed my life"

It has been the journey of just 6 years for the man who took the highest number of wickets in this domestic season. To be more precise, he took 48 wickets in the 8 matches he played this season. Ishwar Pandey – who hadn’t even played cricket with leather ball before he was 17 – has now been selected in the list of 30 probables for the Champions Trophy. This journey is, indeed, exceptional for any cricketer. Recently, Ishwar talked about all his experiences while reaching the top level in domestic cricket

How do you feel now when you look back at your cricket career till date?

Well, it has been a wonderful journey for me. I am really happy that I was able to make it to the top level. Being a boy from a middle class  family, I always loved playing cricket. But initially, I was not serious about my cricket and used to play with the tennis ball. My parents wanted me to study instead of concentrating on anything  else. With all these things around, I had never thought that some day I will be playing with the all these greats of the game.

So when did you actually start playing with leather ball?

It is actually quite an interesting story. I was done with my HSC board exams and enjoying my holidays. On one day, I and my friends came to know that there is a selection going on for a cricket team. As we had ample of time, we decided to have a go at it. I bowled casually in the nets and surprisingly, I was selected. Later, I came to know that the selection was for Rewa side which plays in district tournaments of Madhya Pradesh. This is how it all began.

Tell me about the contribution of Anthony sir and Sahani sir in your success.

Anthony sir was my university coach. He always used to motivate me. He was the one who convinced my father about allowing me to concentrate on my cricket. Also, Amay Khurasiya, who was a former MP player, helped me to get into MRF pace academy in Chennai. Sahani sir and I have worked for many years together now. He was the coach of U-19 team when I made my debut in the U-19 side. Now he coaches the senior team in the Ranji trophy. He knows everything about my game. I have been able to improve in my pace and swing because of his guidance.

Now you are in Pune Warriors squad for IPL with one of the legendary fast bowlers Allan Donald as your coach. How is this experience?

Allan Donald is indeed a legend. I was very happy when I came to know that I will be playing under his guidance. He is very helpful and always tells me the areas in which I can do better. Whenever I bowl in the nets before the matches, he keeps a close eye on my bowling. He also shares his experience with us. It really helps a lot when you have such a brilliant person who knows everything about fast bowling as your mentor.

The IPL format is very different from Test cricket. Which one do you like the most? 

As a bowler, one can bowl only 4 overs and sometimes you might get hit for the boundaries despite bowling accurately. It is the format where you can’t predict anything and the batsmen are always looking for runs. I like Test cricket more as I get more opportunities to bowl and I can always carry on with my strategy without worrying too much about random hitting done by the batsmen. At the same time, IPL gives me a chance to interact with different players and play with them. Whichever format I play, I just want to bowl fast and get as many wickets as I can.

Do you think that Pune Warriors India can win the title this season?

For sure! We were not up to our standards for the first couple of games but that victory against CSK and Rajasthan has given us the momentum. Momentum is very essential for any team to perform well. We have talented overseas players while Bhuvnesh and Ashoke are doing fabulous bowling. Except a couple of games at the beginning, they are right on the money. Overall, we have a good combination not just on field but off field too. We will certainly end this season on higher note.

You made your first class debut just 3 years ago in the 2010-11 season. How has been your experience with the Madhya Pradesh team?

It is a pleasure to play for Madhya Pradesh. We now play in the elite group in Ranji trophy, so I get a chance to bowl at some quality batsman during matches. This year, we almost made it to the knock outs. We have many experienced campaigners and it’s a great experience to play alongside Naman Ojha and our captain Devendra Bundela.

You were fabulous with the bat in that thrilling game against Mumbai.Are we going to see an all rounder making debut for India?

I always like to bat, let it be tennis ball cricket or leather ball cricket. But for now, I am concentrating only on my bowling. I will certainly like to perform with the bat too as and when my team is in need. I couldn’t  score those 8 runs against Mumbai, otherwise we could have made it to the knockouts.

Who is your idol in cricket?

Just like many others, it’s none other than Sachin Paaji. I love his game a lot. I am glad that I got a chance to bowl to him during the Irani trophy match. I also interacted and bowled to him during the Indian team’s practice session before the Australia tour.

Don’t you think that there is too much competition for you as many fast bowlers are already waiting for a place in Indian team?

It is good to have a competition as it motivates to work harder and harder. I don’t always think about it. I just want to go there and bowl and take my side to victory by taking wickets.

What are the things that you should improve to make it to the next level?

I think I need to work on my fitness. It is very important to stay fit. This season, I managed to bowl almost 360 overs in 8 matches. I want to keep bowling at the speed of 135kmph for more and more overs.