CRICKET POLL

"I love playing under tough situations. We all know the ones who can win matches from tough situations are the ones who go on to play for India."

This was Nehal Wadhera reflecting on his unbeaten 19-ball 33 against RCB in a tricky run-chase at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium last Friday (April 18). He spoke about how facing Suyash Sharma was a favourable match-up for him and his approach heading into his innings, following a briefing with the coach.

"I think that before batting, the coach came to me and he told me that, 'Nehal, we just need run-a-ball. You can just go easy.' I said, 'okay, coach', but as soon as I went inside, I felt that RCB had put a lot of pressure on us at that time. So, I thought that now that I have come, the bowling match-ups are to my advantage, and it's my responsibility now to transfer that pressure back onto RCB... So, as soon as Suyash came I knew that he was just trying to throw in googlies, and it will [be] easy for me to hit him for a six straight down."

Wadhera, 24, from Ludhiana, Punjab, has been one of Punjab Kings' solid middle-order batters this season. He has chipped in with 189 runs so far at a solid strike-rate of 146.51 across the seven games he has played. Having made his debut in the tournament in 2023 for Mumbai Indians, Wadhera found out he belonged at this level and obtained the self-confidence to take him further.

"I did well in the practice games there [at MI]. That was the first time when I played [Jofra] Archer. So, when I batted against Archer there, I think that was an actual moment where I had that self-confidence. Like they say, it's not about being good, but knowing that you are good. It is very important for you to know that you are good. So, I think that was the moment when I played Archer in the practice games. From there, I got the confidence that yes, I am prepared for this level."

Despite not having a great domestic season, Wadhera has looked in fine-touch this IPL but the southpaw didn't go as far as calling it a breakthrough season for him, just yet.

"I don't know if this will be the breakthrough season for me or not. But I know that if I can win as many matches as possible for my team, which is my focus, then it can be a breakthrough season for me," Wadhera said. He felt that going in to bat with the mindset of scoring 100s could cost him dearly but instead backing the shots he plays is more crucial for his and his team's success.

"I don't go with the intention that I want to score 100 in this match or take my team to 200-250. Because if you think so far ahead, you end up not doing well. Because I have been through this myself. I just go with the intent that the ball that is in my range, I have practiced well, I will go for my shot. Nine out of 10, I know that it will be a six. It is possible that I will get out to it once in a while. But I have to back my shot if I have worked so hard for this."

It is the first time Wadhera is part of a squad led by the captain-coach duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting and he could immediately recognize the bond that the duo share. Wadhera felt he was joining a 'family' at the start of the IPL and also labelled the captain 'Iyer' a team-man for his proactiveness on the field and putting the team above him always.

"Shreyas Iyer is a really great captain. And I think the combination which he is making with Ricky Ponting is also really good. Because they have already, you know, been a team together in DC as well. They have a really good bonding within themselves, and they are sharing a good bond with us, the newcomers like me who is playing for Punjab Kings for the first time. I mean, when I came in Punjab Kings, I never felt that, you know, I am a new guy who is joining a team, instead I always felt like a family here.

"He is definitely a very good captain. You all have seen how he can win games with his batting, but the way he makes those bowling changes, it shows that he is very involved and always thinks for the team. He is always, you know, a team man."

Having scored only 97 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, Wadhera felt that his hard-work at practice was not being shown out in the middle. He went back to the drawing board, analysed his performances and prepared afresh with the IPL in mind.

"I think there is always a time in everyone's careers where, you know, you are not able to score well even when you are trying really hard. So, I think that time came with me this year, definitely in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. But I am not someone who would just, give up. I always knew that the IPL is in my hands now and it is going to come, so I prepared accordingly. I just had gone through my videos to see what problems I was facing, why I didn't do well in Mushtaq Ali.

"I just tried to, you know, collect all the positives which I can. But at the same time, I also introspect all the weaknesses which can actually cause me trouble in my upcoming games and I work on that. So, I think I have definitely worked on this: how can I do better, how can I be more consistent, which shots can cause me trouble in the IPL, which are the few balls which my opposition team can target me early on. So, I have worked on those things and the work I have done, I think it's paying off now."