This former Indian pacer heaped praise on U19 bowlers for their rampaging show

Paras-Mhambrey
Paras Mhambrey is the World Cup winning Indian U19 cricket team’s bowling coach. File Pic

Sabyasachi Bagchi: He made his test debut in 1996 England tour with Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid but, his International career was not too long but, thanks to  Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ishan Porel, Shivam Mavi  and other Indian U19 players as they gave him the taste of winning a World Cup. Paras Mhambrey is now a World Cup winning bowling coach. www.xtratime.in talked with him after returning to India about the U19 colts performance.

XT: Indian U 19 pacers did brilliant job how you prepared them?

Mhambrey: These boys have played together for almost fourteen months. Apart from camps, they have played many competitive matches   It helped them to build the best combination. Weather and wickets of New Zealand also helped them.

XT: Is this the only reason behind India’s pace bowling lineup became stronger than other teams?

Mhambrey: Of course, they worked hard not only on the field but also they were keen to maintain their diet and fitness. Everyone cannot bowl 150 kms/hr but, everyone needed to concentrate on their line and length. The boys did it and that’s why they got the success.

XT: Nagarkoti and Mavi did well in the World Cup but, how you helped Ishan Porel as he got injured in the first match against Australia?

Mhambrey: Mentally Ishan is a very strong guy. I am happy that he made a very good comeback. He got his injury in his landing foot and his muscle got pulled. It was terrible as his foot got swelled. We tried to recover him but, he was very strong and tried hard to get back on the field. Finally he recovered and we decided to use our best pacer in the Semi Final and the final.

XT: However, Ishan did not bowl full 10 overs of his quota against Pakistan and Australia. Any reason behind this?

Mhambrey: Usually this type of injury takes at least three to four months. But for the sake of the country and his team, he decided to take the risk. So Rahul said that Ishan should be used if necessary. As soon as the team moved to the better position in both of these matches, Ishan was removed from bowling because, his career might be at stake.

XT: Well, so much discussion going on about these young people, how well prepared they are for the international cricket?

Mhambrey: The biggest reason for the team’s success is that most boys played first-class cricket. But international cricket is different ball game. They still have lot of challenges to face. So these boys have to work hard to perform at the highest level. But my personal idea is that some of the players will play in the senior team.

XT: Some of the team member got chance to play. Isn’t it a big achievement for you?  

Mhambrey: Undoubtedly it’s a big achievement. But we were all under tremendous pressure for the IPL auction. Many got the opportunity. Some of them yet to get a call from any IPL franchise. Although everyone was charged up mentally before the final. The U 19 players who will play IPL will perform well.