While the recent ball-tampering scandal has shaken the cricket world, 33-years old Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel said it won’t affect the IPL 2018.
While Cricket Australia (CA) has suspended Australian skipper Steven Smith and vice-captain David Warner for one year (also Cameron Bancroft received nine months suspension), they were automatically suspended from this IPL season. Initially, Smith was the skipper of Rajasthan Royals and Warner was the skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad for this season.
Talking about the recent controversial ball-tampering incident, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel said, “It’s unfortunate. But IPL has been a very big brand. It’s such a big tournament with a lot of young players and seniors have been around for years. A couple of incidents that has happened outside the IPL should not affect.”
Parthiv further added, “I don’t think I’m in a position to speak on what has happened. The ICC and CA have taken decisions… Right now the focus is how RCB can win and how I can contribute rather than thinking about something which has happened outside.”
Parthiv was the RCB member in 2014 IPL, where the team had finished at the seventh position (one step ahead from the last place) in the points table.
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On the other hand, Parthiv Patel has played for six different teams in his IPL career.
Speaking about the changes in the RCB team, Parthiv commented, “A lot has changed from where I was in 2014. I’m coming with a lot of experience of winning the tournament. My performance individually has been very good in last few IPLs, also in the domestic tournaments.
“Nothing many things will change for me. I’ve been working hard personally. Hopefully, I will help the team to win the tournament.
“RCB have played two finals (in IPL and CLT20), but could not convert to tournament winning performance. There’s no point analysing what happened in last few years. We could have done it (the analysis) if it was the same team.”
“A lot of changes have been made to the team. The balance of the side has changed. It feels all the bases are covered, as far as batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders are concerned. We feel we can do it this time. It’s a great franchise. Honestly, we had a great time may not be on the field but the off the field we gelled really well then. We could not convert it into winning performance. It’s a great set up. They look after players really well, the practice facilities etc…”
Parthiv also mentioned that Virat Kohli’s captaincy brings a lot of positive energy inside the team. He said about Virat Kohli, “When Virat’s captaining, you have to be on your toes. He brings in a lot of positive energy makes sure you have to give 100 percent, a reason why we are getting a lot of positive results. A captain’s job is to push you, as a leader if you want results you want everyone to give more than 100 percent. There’s no complains about captain pushing you. Setting the right example.”
While MS Dhoni is still the best wicketkeeper for Indian cricket team in limited-overs, there is also a big fight among the other wicketkeepers to secure their spot in the national team.
Speaking about that, Parthiv said, “The way world cricket and the standard that Dhoni has set, I’m sure everyone tries to match that. It’s exciting times for all the wicketkeepers. Look at the competition around, if one gets injured the other is always ready. There’s a line of wicketkeepers in Indian cricket at this point of time. It brings the best out of us, and we know it.”
Also read: Sunil Gavaskar Criticizes Parthiv Patel and Feels MS Dhoni Retired Early
Parthiv further added, “Whoever is playing is capable enough to do well for India. Whoever playing has to be on top of their game. It’s not easy when you’re playing for India. The competition will always be there. As long as the competition is there, the Indian cricket is in good shape.”
Parthiv also mentioned that wicketkeepers have the similar job of all-rounders. Speaking of that, the left-handed batsman said, “When you’re wicketkeeping that’s your primary job but when you’re out there as a batsman, you have to think that you’re capable enough to contribute in hundreds and not in 20s and 30s — I’m talking about Test cricket. It’s as good as all-rounders’ job. It’s not easy.”
