Parvez Rasool has come as a replacement of country’s top spinner Ravichandran Ashwin but his urge is to find a place for himself in the Indian dressing room when the world’s No.1 off-spinner is around.
“I had no clue that Ashwin has been rested for the series. Actually, when I got a call from the BCCI office, I thought this will be a first chance for me to share the dressing room with Ashwin. Seven days with a player of his calibre means I can learn a lot,” Rasool, first player from Kashmir valley to play for India, told the agencies.
“I was training with state team in Jammu for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I got a call from BCCI office in the morning and now I am rushing to catch a flight to Delhi,” he said.
While in pecking order, Rasool comes behind Ashwin and Jayant Yadav, his own assessment is that he has become a better bowler than when he played his lone one-day match against Bangladesh back in Dhaka in 2014.
“This year before the Ranji Trophy, there was an NCA camp for spinners only. There I had sessions with Narendra Hirwani and Nikhil Chopra. I believe those 20 days at NCA were very fruitful. I dissected my own bowling.
“Because in IPL, you have to also play a restrictive role, I was pushing the ball faster through the air. Hirwani sir told me that moment you push it faster, the revs on the delivery would be lesser.
"Nikhil sir also told me to be a bit slower through the air and give the ball more air. The 38 wickets in the Ranji Trophy was a testimony to that," he explained. Rasool thinks that his 3/38 for India A against England in the warm-up game also helped him get a call-up.
“It is very essential to perform consistently throughout the season but I believe there are certain matches where the selectors are keenly watching you. If you can perform there, your case becomes stronger.
"Two of my three wickets were Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler. Once you are getting wickets against an international side, you know can belong to this level," said Rasool.
The tweaker will also get a chance to interact for the first time with senior team’s chief coach Anil Kumble. “I have not had too many interactions with Anil sir. This is an opportunity where I can learn a few things from him.
Also Virat’s presence in the side makes it easier for me as he has been my captain in the Royal Challengers Bangalore." Talk about Virat, the respect that each of Indian captain’s teammates have for him was palpable in his voice.
“I don’t need to elaborate on Virat’s dedication. But the lasting memory that has stayed with me is his innings against KKR after getting stitches in his hand. He was in pain but he didn’t even flinch one bit. I saw him and felt that that’s what a world class cricketer means. Everyday with Virat is a learning experience,” said Rasool.
So will he be able to cut down on the Rogan Josh and other Kashmiri delicacies, Rasool starts laughing. “I am trying but it is very difficult to sacrifice your love for food and especially when the world knows how delicious Kashmiri cuisine is. But I am trying to cut down and obviously, you have Virat as an example.”
For someone, who has been a role model for aspiring cricketers from the valley, Rasool has only one piece of advice. “In Indian domestic scenario, it does not happen that you have performed and not been rewarded, whether it is A team, U-19 or senior team. It does not matter from which part of India you hail. Performance never goes unnoticed,” he concluded.
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