Ishan Kishan’s 6.2 crore IPL salary has been the talk of the town for a few months now, and he has lived up to the hype with some splendid performances for the Mumbai Indians. Post Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the sleepy state of Jharkhand has been churning out quite a few talented youngsters, be it Ishan Kishan or Saurabh Tiwari. The latest to join this list is 20-year old, Virat Singh who is from MSD’s home state and has placed his bets on Chennai Super Kings to lift this year’s IPL.
At the age of 16, Virat made his senior team debut for Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare trophy. This southpaw has played with his idol Mahendra Singh Dhoni and plans to go to England and get match time in their fast tracks.
Sportzwiki met this southpaw who comes from a family of cricketers for an exclusive tete-a-tete.
- So Virat, you come from a cricketing background. Tell us more about it.?
Yes, absolutely I come from a cricketing background. My Uncle’s son was the first to start in the family, following him, my elder brother Vishal began to play and then me. I started my career in state cricket U-16 playing under the captaincy of my brother only.
- How was your childhood? Did cricket come naturally to you or you had to be pushed into it?
As my brothers were playing cricket, my father wanted me to study well, and not to choose cricket, but it was there in my blood, and when everybody noticed that yes I can play some good cricket, everybody started backing me, and here I am now representing Jharkhand in Senior cricket.
- Tell us about your initial cricketing stage, about youth cricket. You have played Under 19 cricket with the likes of Washington Sundar who has shined in his international debut series. Tell us more about your youth cricket stage.?
I started playing for U16 Jharkhand in 2010. And then in 2011-12, I was the captain, and we made it to the finals in U-16 Vijay Merchant losing to UP. And then after doing well in U16 and U19 interstate, I got selected in the U19 Indian team in 2015 playing along with some familiar faces now, Washinton, Pant, Ishan, Sarfaraz, Avesh.
- You have played with Mahendra Singh Dhoni together in the Vijay Hazare trophy together. How was the experience like? Did he share any tips with you or suggested you things to improve your game?
The experience was superb obviously. There’s a lot to learn from him. Not only on te field but also outside the field. The way he keeps himself calm, his leadership quality and so much he has achieved in his life still being so simple and so humble. He always has been helping me whenever I come up with any cricketing questions.
Last season I was struggling with a few things, and he gave me some valuable tips which helped me.
- Who has been your idol growing up?
Obviously, MS Dhoni.
- Ok now the current hot topic, IPL. Your Jharkhand teammate Ishan Kishan got a major deal this year. Do you also aspire to play in the IPL? Who do you think looks the brightest at this moment to lift this year’s IPL?
Well obviously, yes. Last two seasons my name has been coming in the auctions but unfortunately got unsold. When I did well in the T20 Zonals, I was expecting that I might get sold to one of the teams, but unfortunately, I wasn’t.
Yeah, Ishan has been doing well regularly in the domestic circuit which got him a huge prize. I hope he does well in this IPL and gets into the Indian team soon. CSK is looking strong, and I hope CSK wins as I am a big admirer of MSD.
- So, apart from cricket, what else? How do you unwind?
Well, to be honest cricket is the only thing I know. Whatever is related to cricket I do only that. Keeping my fitness up to date by going to the gym doing strength sessions conditioning sessions in the ground is all that I do.
Besides cricket, I love driving cars and spending time with my close ones and close friends.
- Also tell us something about your frame of mind right now and your immediate goals.
Well, I was disappointed when I wasn’t picked in the IPL but no point looking back. Working hard and preparations are on for the next season.
I might go to England as well to play some club cricket over there. I hope it improves my game and when I return I return as a much better player.