U-19 VC Akshdeep Nath interview - "I am hoping to see India play in the final"

Akshdeep Nath is a small town boy who will soon be living his dream of playing for his country. This young gun has been named as the vice-captain of the India U-19 team and all he has in his mind right now is the word “WINNING”.

Q. How important this WC is for you

Nath: This is the best opportunity ever for me to prove my worth for a place in Team India in the future. During the last 10-12 years, cricketers have been making the Indian team after their performances in the Under-19 squad, so it is not only for me, but also for other team members of the squad, as everybody including selectors would be watching our performances. To play for India is like a dream come true and I’ll be making the most of it.

Q.Were you confident about your selection in the team?

Nath: Yes, I was very sure since I have been doing well for the junior squad at international events, including the just concluded Asia Cup. But now I feel there is a big responsibility on my shoulders also as India’s track record in the Youth World Cup has been wonderful.

Q. How do you see India’s prospects in the WC?

Nath: It is an equal opportunity for all the teams and one cannot take others lightly any more. It is a game of glorious uncertainties and recently we saw this at the Asia Cup final against Pakistan. Since the combination of the team has been wonderful, I am hoping to see India playing in the final.

Q. Are you feeling any kind of pressure?

Nath: No not at all. But obviously a little pressure would always be there on all of us since we have been playing for the country and that too in the World Cup. The biggest plus for our team is the consistent performances of all the players, and being the vice-captain of the side, I will have to shoulder a much greater responsibility.

Q. Any special planning for Australia?

Nath: Yes, there would certainly be special planning for Australia when all the players meet at the NCA at Banglore for the camp from July 15. Team coach as well as captain and other support staff will sit together to chalk out a strategy. As far as my planning is concerned, I am regularly playing local matches and trying to have more and more match practice before joining the national camp.

Q. Did you ever think you would be playing for India one day?

Nath: No not at all. Like any other kid I started playing cricket in lanes and by-lanes at the age of just seven. After playing for a few years at the Abhijeet Sinha Cricket Academy, I shifted my base to the LDA Coaching Centre and when I did well for UP’s junior teams, I thought I would pursue the sport seriously.

Q. Does it hurts you that you haven’t been included in the State(UP) Senior side?

Nath: No, it’s not the case. It was the selectors choice and I have no complaints regarding this. If I play well in the World Cup, obviously my claim for a place in the state team would be stronger so I am just waiting for the opportunity to perform and prove myself.

Q. Have Suresh Raina or RP Singh inspired you in any way since they both have made it to the Indian team through their U-19 performances?

Nath: Yes, of course they have been an inspiration for me; Suresh Raina in particular, since both of us are middle order batsmen and he also was the vice-captain of the Junior Indian team and now has established himself very well in the senior team. I hope one day I can achieve the same feat as his.