Even at around 2am (11.30am IST) on Sunday in Antigua, Ravi Kumar was so busy responding to congratulatory messages and phone calls after playing a leading role in India’s fifth U-19 World Cup title that he hadn’t even spoken to his parents till then.
For sure, this is one such occasion to revel, while the 18-year-old pacer has every reason to feel on top of the world. For, the swing he obtained with his left-arm quick bowling turned out to be massive for the India colts, especially during the knockout phase of the just-concluded U-19 World Cup in the Caribbean.
But as National Cricket Academy director VVS Laxman, who had joined the Indian contingent midway during the World Cup, rightly said that the journey has just begun for these youngsters, Ravi too has the level of maturity to understand it’s only the start of a long road ahead for him and teammates. No wonder he’s very happy after being an integral part of such a triumph, but at the same time, the Bengal seamer seems quite aware of his ultimate goal.
“Team India ke liye khelna toh mera goal hai hi (Playing for Team India is my obvious goal). For that, I’m ready to do whatever hardwork is required.
“Now that one objective (winning the U-19 World Cup) has been achieved, I’m keen on just looking forward and establishing myself,” Ravi, who took 10 wickets in the World Cup, told The Telegraph.
The lure of T20 cricket and franchise-based leagues is one aspect that he and the likes of Yash Dhull, Shaik Rasheed and Raj Bawa will have to deal with. But for Ravi, playing in the Ranji Trophy and making a mark in first-class cricket seems more important at present.
Besides, if things fall into place, there’s a good possibility of him being fast tracked into the Bengal Ranji squad.
“Obviously, playing Ranji and the other first-class cricket will matter, not just for me but for most of us. Playing the Ranji Trophy is one route to earning an India berth, something we have been seeing in case of so many cricketers. So obviously, I have to take it with all seriousness,” the Aligarh-born teenager emphasised.
“But having said that, I’m looking beyond Ranji because as I said, the ultimate goal is to play for India across formats,” he added.
Auction tension
Along with Ravi, Yash Dhull, Shaik Rasheed and Raj Bawa are among the India U-19 cricketers who have a fair chance of being picked by the IPL franchises during the two-day auction in Bangalore on February 12-13. But as far as Ravi is concerned, he doesn’t seem to be too worried over his selection in any of the IPL teams.
“Yes, the auction is around. But honestly, I’m not really too worried about whether I’ll be selected or not.
“If I get picked, well and good. If not, it’s okay as there’s always next time. So I’m not really tense or thinking much about it (auction),” he stated.
Mind matters
Having a strong mind and being able to control it worked well for Ravi in the final versus England at North Sound, where he finished with four wickets. In fact, that will also be his guiding force going forward.
“I didn’t focus on doing anything special or extraordinary for the final or the semi-final. It’s just about keeping your mind in control, something Virat Kohli told us during our chat with him (before the decider) and that’s how I went about. It’s all about having a strong mindset after all,” he stressed.
