Rasool took a giant stride towards fulfilling the dream when he was named in India's probables for the Champions Trophy
Bishan Singh Bedi, the legendary spinner of the 1960s and ’70s who took over the Jammu & Kashmir Ranji team for the recently-concluded domestic season, has played a vital role in transforming Parvez Rasool from an also-ran cricketer to the most promising off-spinner on the domestic circuit. Being the torch-bearer of conventional spin bowling, Bedi has been stressing on the need for Rasool to flight the ball and not worry about getting hit.
Rasool during a practice session in Pune recently. Pic/Suresh KK
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However, being a smart modern-day cricketer, Rasool realises that when it comes to Twenty20, flighting the ball isn’t always advisable. “I don’t think flighting the ball is a good idea (in T20). I am not saying that I would bowl four flat overs, but more often than not, deliveries would be of a flatter trajectory,” said the 25-year-old, who is a member of the Pune Warriors India squad.
Bedi is confident Rasool would become the first cricketer from the terror-struck state to play for India. And Rasool took a giant stride towards fulfilling the dream when he was named in India’s probables for the Champions Trophy on Saturday. The recent feat is an addition to the long list of firsts the man from Bij Behara, a town in the Anantnag district in the south of Kashmir valley, has created. Besides becoming the first from his state to earn an IPL contract, he became the first cricketer from J&K to have played against an international side when he represented India ‘A’ and Board President’s XI in the tour games against England and Australia, respectively, earlier this year.
Developing his doosra
Bedi had also advised Rasool to focus on his stock delivery. Bedi had famously told Rasool, “agar pehla achha daloge, toh doosre ki kya zaroorat?” (if you bowl the regular one well, why do you need the other one?). Rasool respects the advice, but is still working on the delivery that goes away from the right-hander.
“My stock delivery is obviously very important for me. But I am working hard on developing the doosra. I would continue to work hard on it, and would only bowl it once I have mastered it. It’s also important not to lose your stock delivery while working on the doosra,” Rasool explained.
Rasool was not part of the 15-member Warriors squad that travelled to Hyderabad for the team’s IPL opener, but the all-rounder is prepared to wait for an opportunity.
“I don’t know when my chance would come. What I would do is I will continue to work hard, and be absolutely ready, when the team management decides to give me a chance,” said Rasool, who was not just the highest wicket-taker for his side in Ranji Trophy but the highest run-getter too.u00a0
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