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I follow Graeme Swann; I am inspired by him: Rasool
He may have not played a single international for India, but the mere fact that he is being considered by the selectors is enough motivation for Parvez Rasool to keep performing well.
A consistent performance in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy season, in which he finished on top of the batting and bowling charts for the Jammu and Kashmir, with 594 runs, including two centuries, and 33 wickets. made the selectors sit up and take notice of his talents.
The first cricketer from the northern-most state in the Himalayan ranges to make it to an IPL team, Sahara Pune Warriors, Rasool now wants to bring a sea of change in the way people in the Valley embrace the game.
In a freewheeling interview with Manu Shankar, the 24-year-old batting all-rounder talks about his journey, his selection and areas he needs to improve on as a cricketer.
How did the Valley react to your selection to the national team?
My selection has generated a lot of interest among the youngsters. A number of new leagues have also started, including J&K Corporate Premier League. The parents are now taking more interest and often come to me and talk about their kids' future in the game.
Even the youngsters have started to work very hard. We have started an IPL-style league, which is basically to encourage more players.
Is lack of facilities the reason why we don't see many cricketers from Jammu and Kashmir?
Facilities are very limited there. Even coaching staff is not enough; still, a lot of guys are coming out, which is a very healthy sign.
After the IPL a lot of corporate houses are taking interest. There are a lot of talented youngsters, like Shubham Khajuria and Umar Nazir, who are trying to make a mark.
Corporate houses have also decided to buy a ground there and train coaches. Things are looking good.
I follow Graeme Swann; I am inspired by him: Rasool
Even though you haven't really played international cricket, sharing the Indian dressing room with many well-know Indian stars must have been an experience...
Definitely! It was a learning curve. I learnt a lot while I was travelling with the Indian team. I saw how big players behave and work; that encourages me to work even harder on my game
Former Jammu and Kashmir coach Bishen Singh Bedi has spoken highly about you. How has Bedi helped you grow as a bowler?
Bishen sir has been instrumental in my growth as a bowler. He has groomed me as a bowler. I used to play as a batting all-rounder, but he encouraged me to concentrate on my bowling.
Once, after a practice match, Bedi sir was so impressed that he said 'if you work harder, you can become the first cricketer to represent India from J&K'. That was during the J&K Ranji Trophy camp last year and I then became serious about my bowling.
I follow Graeme Swann; I am inspired by him: Rasool
You were part of the Board President's XI and India 'A' teams. So how did this exposure help groom you as a cricketer?
The exposure has helped me a lot. Imagine a cricketer from Jammu plays and meets international players in the IPL and various India 'A' tours. That motivates you to try that much extra to make it to the top level.
Facing international bowlers or top quality bowling must have been an experience of its own.
Definitely! There is a lot of difference between domestic and international cricket. In international cricket you need to work very very hard. When you play international cricket, you realise that conditions outside are very different and that matters a lot. One needs to work extra hard at that level.
I follow Graeme Swann; I am inspired by him: Rasool
You wreaked havoc with your off-spin during Australia's tour match here earlier this year. Sure that seven-wicket haul must have given you confidence...
It was a big moment for me. Even in the tri-series in South Africa, where India 'A' defended a low score, my bowling helped to win the final.
Because of the nature of the pitch, we were playing all high-scoring matches, but it was a great moment for me and the team that we could beat Australia 'A' in a low-scoring final.
I follow Graeme Swann since we have similar bowling styles. I am inspired by him.
What are the key areas you need to work on to improve as a cricketer now?
I'm working on my doosara now. In this age of T20s we have to not only contain the batsman, but also pick wickets. Variations are the key, so I'm working on my stock ball as well
Besides that I'm also working on my batting; I would like to known as an all-rounder.