Interview with Virender Shewag
 How would you describe your feelings on the occasion of your Ranji
Trophy debut?
[Audio]
It was a difficult moment for me since I was playing my first match
for Delhi. I wanted to establish a place for myself in the team, so I
had to perform well. By God's grace my performance in that game was
good. I scored 118 against Haryana in my debut game. After that knock
my teammates instilled a lot of confidence in me. All of them
congratulated me and it was a very happy occasion. I was in a positive
frame of mind and began to realise that I had a future in cricket from
that moment.
You played in the Under 19 World Cup in South Africa in 1998. What
sort of experience was that?
[Audio]
That was a different experience for me. When I began playing Under 19
cricket it never occurred to me that I would be selected for the Under
19 World Cup. South Africa is a pleasant country, the wickets are
fast. Our first match was against South Africa and I made 38 runs. It
felt good and I got the confidence that I could keep my own even at
such a high level. Even though I was not in the best of form, it gave
me the incentive to work hard and play for India in the future. So it
was a valuable experience. After playing in the World Cup, I graduated
from the Under 19 level to the Ranji Trophy.
Coming to the ODI you played against Pakistan last year, were you
ready for international cricket at that stage?
[Audio]
Although I was not fully ready to make the transition to the
international level, the way I had performed in domestic cricket, in
the Duleep and Deodhar Trophies, I was expecting to be selected for
ODI's. You need a lot of mental toughness for international cricket.
My first game was against a very good team. India-Pakistan encounters
have always been needle games and there was some additional pressure
on me because it was against Pakistan. But it felt great to be in the
team.
You were named among the 19 probables for the 1999 World Cup. Was
there a camp for the probables? What was it like?
[Audio]
There was just an announcement of the probables and no camp was
conducted. I think there was a tour going on, some matches were
scheduled at that time, so a camp was not held. I could not get the
benefit of interacting with the senior players and felt a little
disappointed.
In the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal against South Zone you made 274. Now
many people seemed to think you didn't have the temperament for a long
innings. Do you think that knock was a fitting reply?
[Audio]
It's not right to say about someone that he lacks determination or he
doesn't concentrate hard enough. Whenever any batsman goes to the
crease he aims to make a big score and I too had the same intention
during the last season. I made 166 against Himachal Pradesh and 185
against Punjab which gave me a lot of confidence that I could play
long innings. After that I went to play in the Duleep Trophy against
South Zone at Agartala where I made 274. I think with that knock I
proved to the people who were doubting me that I could also go on to
make tall scores.
Your batting has taken precedence over your bowling lately. Do you
consider yourself a genuine allrounder or are you more of a batting
allrounder?
[Audio]
Actually I'm a batting allrounder. My bowling is part time although
I'm also working hard on that aspect of my game. I think in the last
season I took 15-20 wickets for Delhi and about 10-15 wickets this
time round. Right now I'm trying to improve my bowling so that I can
be considered a genuine all rounder.
Are you satisfied with the way you're batting now? What are your goals
for the next season?
[Audio]
I'm not satisfied with my performance till now. I want to make lots
more runs, take more wickets and also pay attention to my fielding.
When the new season begins I want to prove to everyone that my game
has improved considerably. My goal is to make over 1000 runs in the
coming season and play for India at the earliest opportunity. That is
what I have decided and I am working very hard towards that.
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