For Swapnil Asnodkar, the IPL has been fantastic. One of the unknown faces of Indian cricket, 24-year-old Swapnil, with his unorthodox batting style, was one of the architects of Team Jaipur’s success story. As an opener, he gave the team a number of good starts, which eventually proved crucial. On Monday morning, Swapnil spoke to TOI on the days that changed his life

Q: How does it feel to be a member of the champion team?
SA: Oh, it was just great. It’s a fantastic feeling and we just couldn’t stop celebrating after winning the trophy. Every one contributed towards the success and that made the victory even more enjoyable. I guess we had every reason to celebrate our victory well into the morning. No one really gave us much of a chance, but we always knew that we were as good as any other team. It was great that we lived up to that belief.

Q: You have become a celebrity...
SA: It’s nice that so many people are talking about me. It’s really a good feeling. I don’t know whether I have become a celebrity or not, but the very fact that people have started recognising me gives a nice feeling.

Q: Graeme Smith says that he has learnt a lot from you...
SA: (Laughs) I don’t know about that. All I can say is that I have learnt a lot from him. He is a great batsman and opening the innings with him was a great experience. There are so many things that you can pick up when you are batting with someone like Smith. His batting style, his shots...there is something you can learn from everything that he does.

Q: How was it playing under Shane Warne?
SA: He is an excellent captain and handles things pretty well. He makes you feel confident and ensures that you play up to your potential.

Q: Will you be in touch with Warne after the IPL?
SA: I would love to. Anyway, we will be coming together again for the next edition of the IPL and I am looking forward to it.

Q: How was it playing with Shane Watson?
SA: Why only Watson, every player had a big role to play. In fact, as I said, everyone chipped in to play their role. It was a great team and the juniors were always encouraged by the seniors. I gelled well with everyone and was made to feel quite comfortable. Playing with international stars has been a great experience for me, something that I’ll relish throughout my life.

Q: Which innings according to you was your best?
SA: There were quite a few good ones, but I think the 60 against Kolkata Knight Riders (on May 1 in Jaipur) was special. It was my first match of the IPL and gave me the confidence that helped me play a few more good innings.

Q: Are you hoping to play for India soon?
SA: I am not really thinking about that now. I am just going to play my game to the best of my capability. My focus has always been to perform well and it will be so in the future.

Words from his admirers

He has a good technique, and he has all the shots in the book. A lot of times he took the pressure off me through his strokeplay. He has been one of the best things to have happened to me in this tournament. He is a fantastic person, and we got along well. I will miss opening with him when I return to play for South Africa. And I am sure he’ll text me for advice before he goes out to bat next. He has a major goal and that is to play for India. If he keeps batting like this and builds on from here, I feel he has every chance.
— Graeme Smith, Asnodkar’s Team Jaipur Opening Partner

I’ve been watching Asnodkar for the last five years. He is already in the radar of the selectors but will have to be consistent. He is already in the India ‘A’ team to Israel and could break into the national team if he continues to perform consistently. I am surprised that Royal Challengers Bangalore, who had the first option to sign the cricketer since he came from Bangalore’s catchment areas, failed to realise Asnodkar’s potential. He did well to grab the Jaipur opportunity with both hands. I hope he continues in the same vein and maintains consistency. I remember him when he was an NCA member in Bangalore and I have seen him score runs for South Zone. He is a very good fielder too, which only gives him that extra edge.
— Dilip Vengsarkar, Chairman of Selectors – India

Source: The Times of India, Mumbai, 3rd June 2008

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