Watching videos of Daniel Vettori has taught me so much: Pawan Negi

Pawan Negi

Chennai Super Kings left-arm spinner Pawan Negi attributed his success to the time he has spent with his new Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Chennai Super Kings.

Negi picked up 5 wickets in the final of the Champions League T20 on Saturday, against Kolkata Knight Riders, ensuring that the Super Kings were chasing only 181 – which they did with ease – when it seemed at one point that they could be chasing a lot more.

"It really was a perfect night for me. I never thought I would get to play the game in the first place but looking at the pitch, coach (Stephen Fleming) decided to field me and I am glad I could repay the faith," Negi said after returning home from Bangalore.

The Delhi-born also said that watching videos of former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, his role model, has helped him a lot. "I am yet to meet him but I constantly watch his videos on the Internet. That itself has taught me so much."

Feels like a family

Before getting picked up by the Chennai-based franchise, the 21-year-old was a part of the Delhi Daredevils squad. The move seems to have benefited him, as he believes that spending time with senior spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the nets has helped him immensely.

He said: "There are not a lot of people in Delhi with whom I can discuss my bowling. That way spending time with Jaddu bhai (Jadeja) and Ashwin bhai in the nets proved quite helpful, even when was not getting a game. And anyway I was told by coach Fleming to be ready for my chance. He said it could come anytime.

"Initially I was nervous with Dhoni bhai, Fleming, Andy Bichel (bowling coach) and other big names around. But now I am okay with the dressing room atmosphere, it feels like family. Overall it has been a thorough learning experience. You don't get to bowl to top-quality batsmen that often in domestic cricket as you do in IPL and CLT20."

Prepared to work my way up the ladder

Unlike most spinners these days, Negi does not depend on variations to get his wickets and instead focusses on beating the batsman in the air.

"That is how I have always liked to bowl and will continued to do so. The pitch in the final offered assistance and things went as per plan," said Negi.

For now, Negi has his eyes set on the longer format of the game and is determined to do well for his state side Delhi in the domestic competitions.

He concluded by saying, "Hopefully, I will get to play more of four-day cricket. Doing well for Delhi is my immediate target and if I do well in the four-day and 50-over format, there is a better chance of getting a national call-up.

"Having said that, I am in no hurry and ready to work my way up the ladder."