Agarkar urges pundits to credit Mumbai for their consistency

Veteran Ajit Agarkar urges pundits to credit mumbai for their all-round consistency and not slam them for losing the odd Ranji knock out game

Veteran Ajit Agarkar urges pundits to credit mumbai for their all-round consistency and not slam them for losing the odd Ranji knock out game
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Karnataka's Vinay Kumar tries to catch Mumbai's Ajit Agarkar following which the batsman was controversially run-out during the first day of the Ranji Trophy final played at Mysore's Gangothri Glades Cricket Ground yesterday. PIC/SURESH KK

Mumbai and Ajit Agarkar are familiar with Ranji Trophy finals. Playing in his sixth final, the lanky paceman has been an important cog in Mumbai's wheel and with every passing year, his importance in the side has increased.
The 32-year-old spoke to MiD DAY about playing for Mumbai, what makes the team such a powerful force and his influence on the side.

Excerpts:
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Everyone expects Mumbai to win the Ranji final. Does that put pressure on the team?
There's no extra pressure as such, but it's unfair as it takes a lot of hardwork over nine games to reach here and it's not easy as a lot of teams in India have improved considerably. You have to be in reasonable form throughout the nine games especially in the quarters and semis as you can be knocked out after just one bad game. But we aren't being given enough credit for it. If we lose, the swords are out immediately.
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Mumbai has struggled this season, but someone has always come up and saved the team...
I suppose that's mainly due to the quality in our side. I am not trying to put anyone down, but maybe, all teams don't have 11 quality players like we have. Most players from our squad are playing in the Indian Premier League so that helps too. If you have quality, then somebody is going to deliver.

At a personal level, how do you see the season?
It's been a satisfying season for me. Sure, it would have been great to pick up more wickets, but I am happy with the way I have been bowling and batting. I had worked hard on my fitness pre-season and have been in good rhythm. Also, batting at No 6 has given me more chances to score big runs.
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There's a lot you can pass on to the youngsters. What according to you, is the most important aspect younger players must learn?
Since I have been playing for Mumbai, the most positive aspect has been the confidence in the dressing room and that's one thing I hope will never change. The lack of self-belief should not creep in. Many teams lack the self-belief that they can win from any situation or that they can beat Mumbai. And it's important that this feeling passes through from seniors like me to the younger guys. I also try to pass on things I learnt from Sachin Tendulkar and Sanjay Manjrekar and many others when I started out.