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Interview with Santosh Saxena
Q1. You had a lot of obstacles to overcome before you took
up the game. Could you tell us about it?
I had to struggle a lot in order to play cricket. I was
playing a Kanga League match for my club. Sanjay Manjrekar
saw me bowl and called me to the Ranji Trophy nets. But
before that my mother had to undergo a lot of hardship. She
was selling vegetables at one time. I was also doing some
work in a tyre company. Then suddenly it struck me that I
should start playing cricket again and I worked very hard.
After seeing me at the nets, the selectors were impressed
and took me into the side. That was three years ago.
Audio
Q2. How did you feel when you played your debut match?
It was fine. I was under a little bit of pressure. But
there were no problems for me from the next match.
Q3. Why did you become a fast bowler? The wickets in India are
not very favourable to quick bowling. Did that discourage
you?
I first took to fast bowling when I played with a tennis
ball. Even if the wickets are slow, it doesn't mean that
one cannot bowl fast. I had set my heart on becoming a fast
bowler from the beginning.
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Q4. What was your most memorable performance in the Ranji season?
I took five wickets against Rajasthan. Then in the
semifinal I took three wickets in the first innings and two
in the second. That was a good match, an interesting match.
Q5. In that match, you came at the end and joined Sachin
Tendulkar (when Mumbai were just short of the first innings
lead). Did you feel you could make the runs?
I didn't have any problems. Sachin told me, "Play freely,
there's no cause for tension. We are going to win the
match. Just be your normal self."
Q6. There was a loud lbw appeal against you. Do you remember
that?
Actually I got an inner edge (chuckles) but there was an
appeal just the same.
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Q7. Was it difficult to break into the Mumbai side since
they have a lot of fast bowlers at the moment?
In Mumbai your performance in club matches is more
important. If you do well on a regular basis, then you will
definitely get into the team. It was only because I was a
good bowler that I played all the matches this season.
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Q8. Have you analysed your strengths and weaknesses?
No I haven't thought about it.
Q9. Who were your fast bowling heroes?
Donald, Srinath and McGrath.
Q10. What is your goal for the next one year?
I have come here to the MRF to learn. I want to do
something for my state and also strive hard to get into the
Indian team.
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