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Sydney: Praveen Kumar is unlikely to ever become a pin-up hero, but the 21-year-old son of a head constable in Meerut has what it takes to be an effective new-ball or first-change bowler.
Man-of-the-Match in Team India’s last league engagement in the ongoing tri-series, versus Sri Lanka in Hobart, Praveen spoke to The Telegraph at the Radisson Plaza here on Friday.
The following are excerpts
Hailing from a family of wrestlers
(Laughs) My father’s elder brother, Jagat Singh, has been a Hind Kesri… You could say I’m from a family of sportsmen as my father’s younger brother, Azad Singh, has represented India in kabaddi.
Whether he’d also been encouraged to either wrestle or take to kabaddi
Early on, seeing my build, there was talk that I become a wrestler, but my parents (Sakat and Murti) didn’t discourage me whenever I played cricket… Maine gali aur mohalla se start kiya… I began improving once I joined the Victoria Park team in Meerut… It’s thanks to (former India offie) Gopal Sharma that I began playing for UP.
His idol
When I was young, it’s Kapil Dev who fascinated me… Be it bowling or batting, I liked everything about his game… I also admired the way Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis bowled.
Whether he has had an interaction with Akram, who is in Australia on a TV assignment
No… Abhi tak mauka nahin mila… The tour isn’t over, so let’s see.
His India debut, during last November’s ODI against Pakistan in Jaipur, where he had to go wicketless
I wasn’t that nervous, nor did I keep telling myself that I’d taken a big step forward from domestic cricket… People say there’s a lot of pressure while playing for the country, but they forget that there’s pressure at the domestic level too.
On whether, having opened for Central Zone (in the Deodhar) and for UP, he sees himself as an allrounder
(Laughs again) I’m a bowler first… Other things come later.
The areas he needs to improve
Bowl a better line and length and, of course, try and bowl quicker. And, when I’m batting, I’d like to concentrate harder.
Whether he’s learnt a few things on this tour, his first for Team India
More concerning me as a person… I’ve never been away from home for so long and, so, I’ve had to adjust… I’ve learnt that bonding is important… That you’ve got to treat the team as an extension of your family. I’m sure other things remain to be learnt.
The MoM award on Tuesday
My hard work got rewarded… But that’s over and done with… Today, I know I’ve got to be consistent and must improve on that performance (four for 31).
Aiming for Test cricket
Absolutely… Woh aas hamesha se hai…
Interest in other sport
I play a bit of volleyball… I’m not fond of soccer or tennis as quite a few of my teammates are.
Hobbies
Listening to music… Sunidhi Chauhan and Sukhwinder Singh are my favourites… I like watching Amitabh (Bachchan) movies too… I don’t know whether you can call it a hobby, but I quite like watching cricket telecasts.
On having signed for Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL)
I’m looking forward to the IPL… In fact, it has changed everything… Now, I can look at either extending our existing house (on Baghpat Road) or building a new one… Then, I won’t have to think twice about buying a Ford Endeavour… Given the condition of the roads, especially from Meerut to our village (Shamli, some 90 kms away), I’m not thinking of any other vehicle… Hopefully, I’ll also be able to help set up a business for my elder brother, Vinay… Dekhiye, IPL ne sab kuch change kar diya hai.
Whether, with the tour about to end, something still remains on his shopping list
(Laughs yet again) Well, I intend buying a couple of pairs of pure leather shoes for my father… I’ve been wanting to pick up something for my mother too, but haven’t figured out what to get.
Finally, the most memorable experience in his short career as an India cricketer
Having the opportunity to bowl to Sachin Tendulkar, (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh at nets… Also, sharing the same dressing room. Badi baat rahi hai.
