'I am ready for captaincy' - Shukla

Laxmi Ratan Shukla made his international debut at a time no India player remotely resembled an allrounder. But after three ODIs in 1999, he was dropped and has never again played for the national side. Since then he has been an important member of the Bengal team. He drifted for a while before the start of the season, but chose against joining the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and has now been rewarded with the captaincy of the Bengal side. He spoke to Cricinfo about his career and his team's prospects going into the season.

Shukla: "Our supply line is still good [even after the exodus to ICL]. I just expect to carry on with the good work that Deep Dasgupta has done. But the target will be to take it a step higher" © Cricinfo Ltd

It's close to 10 years for you in first-class cricket. What changes have you seen?
Cricket wasn't as mobilised as it is now in terms of training and the availability of a physio. The game has come a long way since then. Every year, there are innovations. If we talk of facilities available today, it doesn't look like the game from ten years back. Comparing then and now will be illogical. We now have a support staff with a physio, a trainer, a computer analyst and a video analyst.

Quality-wise, it has improved, but not to the extent it should have, given the facilities. It is not as competitive now as when we started out. I also feel that the seniors are being ignored a bit.

Looking back, do you think your chance at the international level came a bit too soon?
I don't think so. I had performed well enough to deserve that chance.

But do you think you would have been a more mature player had you debuted a year or two later?
It was not in my hands. If somebody selects you, he does it depending only on your performance. It's difficult to say, but yes I have matured as a player over the years.

What made you join ICL and then come back?
Actually, not many know that I had gone there [to Mumbai where the ICL paraded around 50 recruits, Shukla being one of whom] just to talk to More sir [Kiran More] and understand the concept. I didn't go there to join, and I didn't know there would be a public gathering. It all happened too fast. But I hadn't signed the contract by then. Later, although the offer was good , I didn't feel comfortable leaving Bengal and playing for ICL.

Bengal have had two good seasons, but all of a sudden many players have left to join the ICL. What are your expectations going into the season, now that you are the captain too?
Our supply line is still good. Obviously we will miss Deep [Dasgupta, their captain over the last two seasons] and Rohan [Gavaskar] a lot, but we are not worrying about the others because we have players who are just as talented. Deep is a good friend and when he was the captain, I was the vice-captain. I just expect to carry on with the good work that he has done. We will try to maintain that level, but the target will be to take it a step higher.

What was your first reaction when you saw the team at hand?
We have been together for quite a bit now. I like what we have, and when we went to play in Hyderabad and Bangalore, the boys who got the chance showed they have talent. What they were lacking was getting chances, which they will get now. The it's up to them to prove they deserve the chance, especially when they will be playing in place of such dominant players like Rohan and Deep. Nobody can be replaced completely, and it would be wrong to compare new players to anybody. But what they can do is show that they too can succeed at this level.

How disappointing was it for the team to lose two finals in a row?
It was very disappointing to reach two finals in a row, and still not win. To motivate the team after losing the finals was very difficult, because we played good cricket consistently. It will be difficult to pick ourselves up, especially this year, playing without Rohan and Deep.

You will be without Paras Mhambrey who coached you guys last two season.
Paras bhai was outstanding over the last two years. He did a lot of good work with us. We will miss him a lot, but things don't come to a halt when an individual leaves. We can only look forward. Bharat Arun [the current coach] is doing a good job. He treats everyone equally and doesn't have favourites.

It was very disappointing to reach two finals in a row, and still not win. To motivate the team after losing the finals was very difficult, because we played good cricket consistently. It will be difficult to pick ourselves up, especially this year, playing without Rohan and Deep

There has been this criticism against you that have not matured as a batsman, that you are still a bit careless. Do you think a first-class average of 32.59 is an underachievement?
See, one can always do better. But you have to see my position in the batting order too: it's mostly at No. 7. Most of the times, I only get to bat with the bowlers. But yes there is always scope for development.

Your bowling will be boosted by the return of SS Paul.
He is bowling well, is looking good, and has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out last season.

You could play carefree cricket before, but now that you are the captain, how is this season different on that count?
There is extra responsibility, it will be more fun. I have played for close to 10 years and I am ready for captaincy.