One never says "I’m not a good enough bowler" after claiming Sachin Tendulkar`s wicket. But here is one man who still feels he isn’t good enough to be a part of the national team.
Meet Vikramjeet Malik, the Kings XI Punjab bowler, who dismissed the Master Blaster, but feels he has a long way to go.
In an exclusive tête-à-tête with
Tanvir Khan of
Zeenews.com Vikramjeet said that dismissing the maestro was the highest point of his short cricketing career. “It is something that every bowler in the world dreams of”, he quipped.
When asked about his future, the very modest Vikramjeet said that he was concentrating on his domestic career and that he was looking to improve as he feels he still isn’t good enough to don the blue jersey. He said he was taking one step at a time and only good performances on the domestic circuit would help him get the ticket to the national squad.
“I’m not that good, that is why I’m not there as well. When I`ll be good enough for that level, I’ll definitely be there”, he said.
He said that he had set himself a one year deadline to break into the national squad and he was working full time to achieve his target. “One year is what I am looking at. Hopefully, I’ll get there”, he said.
The IPL debutant rated the T20 tournament very highly and said that it had helped him a great deal by teaching him the tricks of the trade. The humble lad attributed his success to his team mates rather than the hard work put in by him.
He showered praise on his team mates Brett Lee and Irfan Pathan saying that they were of tremendous help and that one had a lot to learn from both the speedsters. He added that sharing the dressing room with the duo was “something really special”.
“They are fantastic players. Lee has always been a great help. His confidence is a lesson in itself. Pathan, on the other hand, has the right attitude needed on the field and that helped me focus well”, he added.
Rating Yuvraj Singh a perfect 10 as a captain, he said that the day was not far when he would be the in charge of the Indian cricket team.
“He is a fantastic man, always available to help”, he said for the southpaw.
While talking about Kings XI Punjab, it is difficult to miss out on the franchisee co-owner and the very bubbly Priety Zinta. “She is the ultimate energy queen. Her presence in the dug-out itself was a morale booster and lifted the team’s spirits. She’s a great human being”, is what VM had to say for the Bollywood superstar.
Terming Glenn McGrath his role model, he said that he was unlucky to have not got a chance to have a conversation with the legend. “He is a master class, he is a legend and I am really looking forward to meeting him.”
Talking about Sehwag, he rated the star Indian batsman and his ONGC team mate and captain, as the toughest to bowl at. That, for obvious reasons. “The world knows it. He spanks and thrashes you all around the park so brutally. He can bust any bowler’s morale in no time.”
Let us hope that the diffident medium pacer gets a chance as soon as possible to play alongside Sehwag and not bowl ‘at’ him.
On this note, VM signed off stating that it was a pleasure talking to
Zeenews.com, taking with him all the wishes for success in his future endeavours.
