Skills I have are good enough to play for India: Sai Kishore
R Sai Kishore
CHENNAI: Left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore was sparingly used in his first five seasons of the
IPL
, playing just 10 matches between 2020 and 2024. When the opportunity to cement his place in the Gujarat Titans 'playing XII' arose at the start of the season, the 28-year-old from
Tamil Nadu
grabbed it with both hands. Sai Kishore was one of GT's key contributors in the run to the playoffs, finishing as their second-highest wicket-taker with 19 scalps in 15 games. In an interaction with TOI, the lanky slow bowler spoke about playing an extended run of matches, shouldering more responsibility, how he overcame a rough patch and more. Excerpts:
You finally got a sustained run of matches. How was the challenge?
I am happy that I was able to deliver performances in the chances that I got.
But at the same time, I want to keep improving. While coming up against international batters, I knew what to do and what not to do. I got a good understanding of how they are approaching my bowling. I played against a lot of players for the first time; the more I play, the better I will get.
Do you think that you are knocking on the Indian selectors' door?
I feel that the skills I have are good enough to play international cricket.
I have always had that belief; the belief grows when it is backed up with performances. The biggest delivery that I can develop is patience. I have my aspirations, but I have to stay happy in my journey. I bowled the carrom ball this season and I have a lot more variations up my sleeve. Karun Nair (back in the Test squad) is one of my biggest inspirations; he has batted beautifully and scored plenty of runs.
If I deserve a spot, I will get my chance.
If I do not get picked, I will look to get even better.
How was your preparation for the season?
Over the last four-five years, I have been working with R Ramkumar (former Tamil Nadu player) on my bowling. The work we put in before the IPL season came in handy. At GT, I have Aashish Kapoor, another former TN spinner. They both have been instrumental in my bowling coming through. In terms of mindset, I expected the least out of myself this IPL season.
As time would have it, when I expected the least, I had my best season.
What was your approach when ace leggie Rashid Khan was not in the best of form?
Taking the lead role happened naturally; it is not that I am new to the role. Wherever I have played, I have thought like a captain. Rashid is a very good bowler, but he did not have the season that he would have liked. When I got the role, I felt that it was a perfect match. When you are ready and prepared, everything just falls into place.
You had a lean phase when you hardly bowled two overs per match. How did you feel then?
With the introduction of the 'Impact Player' rule, we had seven bowling options, so I am not required to bowl sometimes. It is not that I cannot bowl. Looking at it from the team's perspective, I was fine with it but I was ready to do any job. It was clearly communicated to me by Ashish Nehra (GT head coach) on why we had such plans. I did not take anything personally.
Did lack of bowling disrupt your rhythm?
It is definitely helpful if I perform the same role again and again. But if you want to excel as a T20 bowler, you should be able to bowl in all phases. Having not had many chances in the previous seasons, I prepared myself to take the ball at any stage. When I am playing for TN or in the TNPL, I am comfortable bowling in the death overs. Those experiences came in handy.
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