Once the next big thing, now back in the grind; Ishwar Pandey has experienced it all

Back in 2012, a young, tall, lanky quick from Madhya Pradesh was making all the right noises; he was what defined fast bowling. A robust frame, a smooth approach to the crease, a beautiful load up and then the robotic action that hurled the ball towards the batsmen.

Ishwar Pandey was forcing people to sit up and take notice. The young man from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh was well on his way to becoming India’s answer to their perennial fast-bowling woes.

His progress was rapid: from the Madhya Pradesh U-19 days, to being the leading wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy 2012-13, to bagging an IPL contract, to getting a place in the India-A side. He capped it all when he was included in the India side for the tours of New Zealand and England.

But, Pandey never made it to the playing XI. He kept at it, but never got the chance to prove his mettle; he then frittered away, returning to the grind of Ranji and domestic cricket, giving it yet another go!

Bowling was not your first choice, it was all part of a random selection trial, wasn’t it?

Well, I never thought about playing cricket, like every kid, I used to play with a tennis ball in my neighbourhood. We had just completed our exams and heard about a division trial going on in the vicinity. Since we had no other work to do, we thought of just going there and checking out what exactly was happening.

I bowled with the tennis ball, so I enrolled my name, but not as a bowler, but a batsman. However, I was given a chance to bowl also and the people in charge were quite impressed with what I did that day. They asked me to come back and take practice seriously, and yes, perhaps this is where my tryst with bowling began.

How was the backing from home, considering you never really thought about cricket?

My father was not very impressed, to be honest; he did not allow me to go back. So, that year, despite being enrolled I could not make it.

My dad was in the army and hence he was quite categorical in his choices. He wanted me to focus only on my studies. Next year, my coach from the camp, who was incidentally also my coach in the university, spoke with my father and tried to convince him, and thankfully he relented.

A lot of credit goes to Aril Anthony, my coach, who had belief in my abilities and backed me. So yes, this is how cricket suddenly became a serious affair.

Although the initiation may have been jittery, your progress through the ranks was smooth and quite rapid.

I enjoyed what I was doing and never really thought about the results. I just loved bowing fast and this is what drove me always. Even when I was selected for the Madhya Pradesh U-19 side, nothing changed for me; I ran up and bowled fast.

And then there were the coaches who always kept watching; they spoke to me and tried to rectify the flaws they saw in my game. By ironing out these mistakes, I became more confident in my abilities.

Your next big step was the stint in the MRF pace academy. How did it mould you as a bowler?

Perhaps this was the turning point in my career because, under the tutelage of Dennis Lillee, I learned a lot about not only bowling but also about being a cricketer.

My action became a lot stronger, I grew as a bowler, I added a lot of tricks to my arsenal and those three years were perhaps the best moments for me as a young bowler.

The 2012-13 Ranji season was a watershed moment for you. What did it feel like when you became the leading wicket-taker in the country?

Frankly, I could not understand anything, everything happened so quickly that I had no idea how to comprehend it.

During that season, I also played for India A and then received a call-up to bowl at the Indian team in the nets which was quite a surprise. I was excited because I was getting an opportunity to meet and interact and learn things from International stars.

But yes, the entire feeling was quite neutral to be honest, because as I said, things were happening rather quickly.

What exactly are your strengths and weaknesses now that you have become an experienced bowler?

I am an outswing bowler; my action allows me to get the outward shape on the ball and I have never tried to change it.

On the contrary, I identified my stock ball fairly early and only worked around it. Whatever new tricks I learned was based on this out swing.

Back in the MRF pace foundation, Lillee also made sure that I stuck to the basics before experimenting.

Did not feature in the playing XI

And then came the Indian call-up back in early 2014 for the New Zealand tour. What was the entire atmosphere like?

To be very honest with you, I was expecting a call-up since my performances were consistent and quite good.

But on that particular day, I was sleeping, unaware that the squad was being selected and missed a lot of calls. When I woke up, I called back and then got the news from one of my friends that I had indeed been picked in the Indian squad.

I was excited yes, but at the same time I froze, not knowing how to react, but I managed to inform my family. It was huge news for Madhya Pradesh as after 17 years a player from the state was selected for the national team.

What were the improvements you made to your game once you stepped into the Indian set-up?

I was nervous, but then slowly settled in. The team environment was brilliant and everyone was very welcoming.

I got a lot of help from Ishant Sharma and Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) and they were very close to me, so I used to speak with them about my own bowling and how to improve my game.

I took the tour games very seriously and spoke with the coaches and the senior players. I took their guidance and yes, felt significant changes in my bowling.

What was the influence MS Dhoni had on your game?

Mahi bhai knew my game very well, as we had been together in the IPL and thus he knew my strengths and weaknesses.

He always spoke about my strengths and asked me to work on it and to focus on improving my game.

'Dhoni knew my game'

You were part of the squad that toured England, but once again, not named in the playing XI. What were you feeling?

It is but natural to feel disappointed when you do not get a chance to play, but then selection was never in my hand, so I never got worked up.

I was doing what I could do, trying to give my best in the tour games, learning new tricks and honing my skills.

There was this disappointment, yes, but then I could not have done anything about it.

The fight is on even to this day, and I am always improving and trying to be ready for any situation.

You are not part of the discussions when a squad is being announced despite being a consistent Ranji performer. What keeps you inspired?

I no longer think about selection, I focus on my own game and try to do the best for whichever team I am playing for.

I cannot force people to select me, but yes I can always force them to speak about me by virtue of my performances.

I am happy with what I am doing now. Yes there is competition, but I am confident about my game and always look to pick up wickets.

Back in 2014, Duncan Fletcher was the Indian team’s coach and he was always hailed as an astute mind. What was your experience with him?

The atmosphere in the team was very good, more so after the Lord’s win. But then things did not work out for us after that match.

However, as a team things were the same for us. We did our best but things did not work out. We were never gutted though and still backed each other and this was the team’s biggest strength.

And yes, Duncan Fletcher was brilliant for us. His knowledge of the game was superb. He worked closely with all the players; the way he managed every individual was very unique.

Also, all the batsmen in the India team had their own way of playing and Fletcher made sure that they stuck to their strengths.

I should also mention the role of Joe Dawes who was our bowling coach and his influence on my bowling. He placed a lot of emphasis on training and putting in place specific strategies.

What are your plans six to eight months down the line?

As of now, my entire focus is on the knockout match in the Ranji Trophy and hopefully I give my best for Madhya Pradesh.

Apart from this, as and when the matches come along, I would look to give my best in whatever I do.

What clicked for Madhya Pradesh this season?

We worked as a unit; the entire team performed, different players put their hands up at different times and this was the biggest positive for us this season.

If you see, no individual player scored all the runs or picked all the wickets, but it was a combined effort from all of us.

Our captain Devendra Bundela has played a pivotal role this season as he has managed to keep the dressing room together at all times.

Any expectations from the upcoming IPL auctions?

I do not think about things that are not in my control. I firmly believe that if I perform well, if I pick up wickets, I will get chances. There will be people who will pick me.

Apna kaam hai khelna, zyaada sochne ka nhi hai.