EXCLUSIVE

Calcutta: Thus far, Anand has best been known as Amul territory. Not so now.

After Tuesday afternoon, Anand (around 70 kms from Ahmedabad) has only been in the news as world-record holder Gohil Samit Bhanubhai's hometown.

Samit, who created history in Jaipur, spoke to The Telegraph for around 25 minutes on Wednesday evening.

The 26-year-old Samit's 359 not out is the highest first-class score ever by an opener while carrying his bat through a completed innings.

Samit is not exactly used to the limelight, but right through the interview, he came across as balanced and with feet firmly on the ground.

One hopes Samit does go far.

Excerpts...

Q When did you become aware that you'd actually scripted a world record?

A On returning to the dressing room, after the quarter-final match against Odisha... Our chief coach Vijay Patel and Ranji coach Hitesh Majmudar had received a call from somebody, who informed them of the world record bit. Only after getting their congratulations and the kudos from teammates did I realise the enormity of my achievement. I knew that 359 not out was a big score, but knew nothing of the world record.

The first thing you did?

I called up home and spoke to my parents (Bhanubhai and Ilaben)... I also spoke to my wife, Shikha... I told my mother to prepare the traditional daal-bhaat, which I would have on getting to Anand. I eventually did, at around 2.00 am today, after taking an evening flight from Jaipur to Ahmedabad. The family was there to receive me at the airport... It was an emotional homecoming.

What did Shikha tell you on the phone?

(Laughs) Nothing much, except that I should come home quickly. I did... Sabko bahut khushi thi.

[Speaking exclusively, Shikha told this Reporter: "We're delighted for Samit... He only thinks of cricket and has been rewarded..." The couple got married in March 2015.]

Who would you dedicate your world record to?

My parents, wife... Teammates and coaches... Friends and my extended family. I cannot take one name.

Role model?

Rahul Dravid.

Why Dravid and not a specialist opener?

Because I liked the way Dravid Sir would compose his innings, he had a method which rarely failed... I was lucky to have met him during an U-19 camp at the NCA in Bangalore, quite a few years ago, and my interaction with him left a lasting impression.

What did Dravid advise?

To never forget the basics, to work hard and to be strong in the mind... After all, it's tough being an opener.

You batted for 964 minutes, which is an incredible length of time. What kept you going?

My approach... To play each ball on merit and never look too far ahead.

But to have batted for over 16 hours...

I had a job to do, to help take Gujarat into the semi-finals... So, maine apna kaam hi kiya... It's a bonus that I set a world record.

Are you into meditation and/or yoga?

In the off-season, I have attended camps of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar... I'm not into yoga, though... What I do regularly, something which is part of my daily routine, is praying for 15-20 minutes. Prarthana mere liye zaroori hai . Clears my mind.

Will life change for you?

Don't think so... For me, it has always been one ball and one step at a time... Main dur ka nahin sochta.

What are you thinking of right now?

To play my part in the Ranji semi-final, against Jharkhand.

Surely, you must be aspiring to play for India?

Every cricketer in the country dreams of that, so how can I be any different? But, then, I approach things one at a time... Itna bhi dur ka nahin soch raha hoon. Let us see.

Won't there be a lot more pressure when you take guard in Nagpur, against Jharkhand?

My job is to treat every ball on merit, why think of more or less pressure? Pressure, the reputation of the opposition... These things don't come into my equation.

Hobbies?

In the off-season, I play badminton and table tennis... Of late, I've been getting used to the Fifa PlayStation.

Movies?

Occasionally, I do watch films which could motivate. I saw Salman Khan's Sultan, for example.

Now, Aamir Khan's Dangal has taken the big screens by storm...

(Laughs) Usko bhi main dekhunga.

Finally... What's the No.1 ingredient for success?

Success isn't guaranteed, but confidence is a must... Hard work too.