The Capital’s All Rounders
Saying that the Delhi Capitals have been unlucky at the IPL would be an understatement. However, this time around they have two of India’s best emerging players in their roster.
Shreyas, the Delhi Capitals are one of the few teams that has never made it to the semifinals of the IPL. Is it going to change this year? What is the team planning to do differently this year?
Shreyas Iyer (SI): We’re very optimistic this time around with our line up, having a great mix of experienced and young players. Things look positive and Delhi Capitals as a team is approaching the season with just one goal in mind – winning the title. We’ll take it match by match and try and be as consistent as possible.
You are one of the youngest captains to lead an IPL team. How difficult is it for you to lead a team on such a platform?
SI: It’s an honour, but one that also comes with a huge responsibility. I maybe the youngest IPL captain, but our staff and management has been brilliant so far. Also, there will be seniors who will be helping me with my decisions.
How do you feel about spin bowling, changing over the years?
SI: It is one of the biggest weapons in cricket for sure, in terms of getting breakthroughs. If your spinners assist you in getting the top wickets, you’re bound to be on top of the match.
Hanuma, you left an indelible mark when you hit that half century on your debut, against England. How did it feel to do well against such a strong team at their home ground?
Hanuma Vihari (HV): It was a dream come true! I watched the India-England series in 2014, and then when I made my debut, that too at a ground like the Oval, it was frankly quite unbelievable. And the half century was definitely the cherry on the cake!
You are formidable, both with the bat as well as the ball. Are we moving towards a time when the focus will be more on all rounders rather than specialists?
HV: Yes, the modern day game demands contribution from players in all departments including fielding. I want to improve my bowling so that it helps improve the team’s balance.
You have played for a number of teams in the IPL. Do you think it will help you in strategising when playing against them when you take the field?
HV: Well, T20 is a very unpredictable format, so it’s tough to take forward strategies as such. All players as individuals have their own way of working and adapting so it depends on how things are on one particular day, and in a particular match.
How do you think the upcoming season of IPL is shaping up to be?
HV: I’m really excited to be a part of the IPL after 3 years, and with Delhi Capitals, mainly because during this time, I’ve developed so much as a player. We have a great balance of Indian and foreign players. Under Shreyas’ (Iyer) and Ricky’s (Ponting) leadership, this could be a great season for us.
How is the Indian locker room different from a typical IPL team’s locker room?
HV: Playing for the country can’t match with anything else. IPL can be tricky because you have players from so many countries and not a lot of time to gel as a unit. You have to have that chemistry off the field to be able to gel as a unit on it. SI: The locker room as such is not very different actually, for India or for Delhi Capitals. These are your teammates that you’re sharing the space with. It’s the representation on the field, country or franchise that is very different.
What has been that one advice that you will never forget?
HV: I was batting with JP Duminy one day, and he told me, to play all my shots with full commitment. It’s a mantra I’ve followed in life as well as in cricket. It’s either 100 per cent or nothing. SI: It was something I picked up while watching Vir Das perform. People will criticize, and judge you. You can’t control that. What you can do is believe in what you have, which is your talent, and that’s what will take you forward.
From the March 2019 issue of FHM India.
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