Promising India Under-19 cricketer Manan Sharma speaks to ESPNSTAR.com on his journey from street cricket to the real stuff.
By Sahil Malhotra
Manan, son of former India cricketer Ajay Sharma is a useful slow left-arm bowler who can bat at any position, which adds to his advantage.
He toured Australia with the Under-19 team in 2009, where he picked up five wickets and scored 148 runs in five games. He was later named in the U-19 squad for the 2010 World Cup in New Zealand.
ESPNSTAR.com caught up with the cricketer moments after his fine knock of 184 on Day One of the three-day Vizzy Trophy tie against East Zone Universities.
EXCERPTS
Sahil Malhotra: When did you start playing cricket?
He toured Australia with the Under-19 team in 2009, where he picked up five wickets and scored 148 runs in five games. He was later named in the U-19 squad for the 2010 World Cup in New Zealand.
ESPNSTAR.com caught up with the cricketer moments after his fine knock of 184 on Day One of the three-day Vizzy Trophy tie against East Zone Universities.
EXCERPTS
Sahil Malhotra: When did you start playing cricket?
Manan Sharma: Like every youngster, I played a lot of gully (street) cricket. I joined the Sonnet Cricket Club at the age of 10 and commenced my journey under the guidance of Mr Tarak Sinha.
SM: How did you approach cricket in your early days?
MS: Cricket was always approached seriously. For me, it was in the blood. All my life I have seen my father’s commitment and discipline towards the game. Seeing him train hard was a source of inspiration. I always wanted to be a cricketer.
SM: How was your transition from gully cricket to serious stuff?
MS: After sweating it out in the nets for two years, I got my first break at the age of 12 when I represented Delhi Under-15 in a State fixture against Himachal Pradesh. It was a dream debut for me as I picked up 10 wickets in the match.
SM: Being a son of former Indian cricketer, was there any pressure?
MS: Honestly, there was a lot of pressure on me. People looked at me as Ajay Sharma’s son. To live up to those expectations was indeed a mountain to climb.
SM: Apart from your father, did you idolise any cricketer who influenced your game?
MS: Right from early days, I idolised Yuvraj Singh. The way he approaches the game in all formats in commendable. A never-say-die attitude is one of the finest elements of Yuvraj’s personality. I would like to wish Yuvi a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon.
SM: What do you think is the one area about your game you want to improve upon?
MS: A cricketer learns every day! I look to maintain my all-round skills in the game. As of now I am happy with way my game is coming on in the field.
SM: How was your experience at the U-19 World Cup?
MS: It was a great experience. We played overseas against quality sides. Conditions there were not of great help to the spinners as the pitch was on the harder side. I worked hard to change my tactics and started varying my pace to get wickets. It was a learning curve as I was exposed to bowling in unfriendly conditions.
SM: What is lined up ahead?
MS: After the Vizzy Trophy, I’ll be attending the Ranji Trophy camp for the ODIs.
SM: How are your chances for making it to the Ranji squad?
MS: It is something which is beyond my control. My only aim is to perform. Success will follow.
SM: How did you approach cricket in your early days?
MS: Cricket was always approached seriously. For me, it was in the blood. All my life I have seen my father’s commitment and discipline towards the game. Seeing him train hard was a source of inspiration. I always wanted to be a cricketer.
SM: How was your transition from gully cricket to serious stuff?
MS: After sweating it out in the nets for two years, I got my first break at the age of 12 when I represented Delhi Under-15 in a State fixture against Himachal Pradesh. It was a dream debut for me as I picked up 10 wickets in the match.
SM: Being a son of former Indian cricketer, was there any pressure?
MS: Honestly, there was a lot of pressure on me. People looked at me as Ajay Sharma’s son. To live up to those expectations was indeed a mountain to climb.
SM: Apart from your father, did you idolise any cricketer who influenced your game?
MS: Right from early days, I idolised Yuvraj Singh. The way he approaches the game in all formats in commendable. A never-say-die attitude is one of the finest elements of Yuvraj’s personality. I would like to wish Yuvi a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon.
SM: What do you think is the one area about your game you want to improve upon?
MS: A cricketer learns every day! I look to maintain my all-round skills in the game. As of now I am happy with way my game is coming on in the field.
SM: How was your experience at the U-19 World Cup?
MS: It was a great experience. We played overseas against quality sides. Conditions there were not of great help to the spinners as the pitch was on the harder side. I worked hard to change my tactics and started varying my pace to get wickets. It was a learning curve as I was exposed to bowling in unfriendly conditions.
SM: What is lined up ahead?
MS: After the Vizzy Trophy, I’ll be attending the Ranji Trophy camp for the ODIs.
SM: How are your chances for making it to the Ranji squad?
MS: It is something which is beyond my control. My only aim is to perform. Success will follow.
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