Abdulla, who represented different IPL teams, like Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals from 2008 to 2017, claiming 40 wickets in 49 matches, was approached by the DC management before this year’s IPL
Delhi Capitals’s talent scout Iqbal Abdulla
Former India U-19 World Cup-winner and ex-Mumbai left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Iqbal Abdulla is enjoying a new role as talent scout for Indian Premier League (IPL) side Delhi Capitals (DC).
Abdulla, who represented different IPL teams, like Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals from 2008 to 2017, claiming 40 wickets in 49 matches, was approached by the DC management before this year’s IPL. “Just before the last IPL, [DC’s chief talent scout] Vijay Bharadwaj sir asked me [if I would like to join]. [Head coach] Hemang [Badani] bhai and [Director of Cricket] Venugopal Rao were also present. I’m currently playing in the Legends League Cricket and also some other competitive matches in Mumbai. They [DC support staff] must have seen me and felt that I’m young and have also played in the IPL, so I can do well [by being a talent scout] for the franchise,” Abdulla, 35, who finished as leading wicket-taker (with 10 scalps alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Siddarth Kaul) during the Virat Kohli-led Indian team’s 2008 U-19 World Cup-winning campaign in Malaysia, told mid-day recently.
Abdulla believes an IPL aspirant should have three qualities — courage, fighting spirit and game sense. “Jigra hona chahiye [the players should have courage]. In IPL, you are often up against big names, but you should not be overawed by your opponent’s reputation. For example, if someone like Virat Kohli is up against you, you should not feel scared or be under pressure. You must display your fighting spirit and perform for your team as per the situation,” said Abdulla, who has taken 220 wickets and scored 2,641 runs in 71 first-class matches.
Abdulla insisted that the IPL is not a place for the weak-hearted. “You should always be aware of your skills and if you don’t do well, you should look to bounce back strongly. Players can expect no sympathy. At the end of the day, you have to bat or bowl and perform and your performance depends on how strong your heart and mind are. Batsmen generally are always ready to replace each other, but bowling is a bit of a struggle. It’s not easy because the boundaries are small in the IPL. So for bowlers, variation is the key to success. For example, players like Rohit [Sharma] or Virat, can face pace and spin in equal measure. So, you have to vary things. That’s very important in T20s,” concluded Abdulla.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
