Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: He is considered as one of the finest batsmen Assam has ever produced. Rajesh Bora, former first class cricketer and member of BCCI's junior selection committee, in a conversation with The Sentinel advised the State cricketers to perform well in the forthcoming Mushtaq Ali T20 Cricket which can open the door for the next edition of IPL for them. Here is the excerpt.
The Sentinel (TS): Domestic cricket is all set to resume from the next month after a long break. What type of performance are you expecting from the teams this time?
Rajesh: I feel at the early part of the season most of the teams would struggle because players this time didn't get enough opportunities to train themselves properly and play practice matches. However, once the season progresses the situation will be normal. I believe it would be better if the domestic season starts with four-day meet rather limited over cricket.
TS: Cricketers spent the entire off season at their home. Can it make any impact on their performance?
Rajesh: I won't feel so. Most of the present day cricketers are conscious about their game. Those who are knocking the door of Indian team or doing well in the national circuit wouldn't face too much of a problem as they possibly had chalked out their workout during the COVID break and worked accordingly. But cricketers of smaller States may face a little problem as they don't have proper ideas on how to tackle this type of situations. Respective State associations should guide them.
TS: If you are a present day cricketer how do you prepare for the forthcoming season?
Rajesh: No need to go for doing something extraordinary. Just follow the basics because a couple of good knocks or a few good bowling performances are enough for a player to boost his level of confidence.
TS: What advice would you like to give State cricketers before the start of the season?
Rajesh: In a limited over cricket Assam is a very good side and no one can take us lightly. I shall advice our cricketers to perform well in the forthcoming Mushtaq Ali T20 Cricket because different IPL franchises will keep their eyes on the competition. Our State cricketers should keep it in their mind that IPL is a good platform to catch the eyes of national selectors.
TS: How will you describe India's poor batting against Australia in the first Test?
Rajesh: It's just a bad day at the office. We have depth in batting and I feel even the absence of Virat Kohli (who will return to India after first Test) won't make any big impact. Rohit, Rahane, Pujara-all are capable of playing big knocks against any opponents.