Vijay Hazare Trophy will help us gel well as a team before Ranji Trophy, says Siddhesh Lad

In order to make the scheduling better and give proper gaps between tournaments, the BCCI decided to push Ranji Trophy down to December, as the winter kicks in and with that, the chances of matches getting affected because of rain also goes down drastically. That also means teams will have some time to get their team combination right for the Ranji Trophy season, being able to pick players from the U-19 and U-23 set-up too. 

"We couldn't gel that much, last season. Boys were coming from under-23 club cricket. We did not have one team. We made a lot of changes in the team. But T20s and one dayers, it's time that we come together. We gel as a team and we have a very good side in a white ball cricket also. So I think we will make the most of it,” Lad told SportsCafe in an exclusive interview.

“There is talent in Mumbai, just that last season’s Ranji Trophy we did not have players with experience. It's not easy coming in your first season and performing for Mumbai because people expect a lot when you play from Mumbai. When there are expectations, there are things. I'm sure that people who have played the first season will do well in the next season because they have gained some experience. We have some exciting talent, Tushar Deshpande is playing for India. Shivam is doing well, since the last season. So now I think with all of them, we will try and make a good team.”

“That was a transitional period for us, for Mumbai, because last year when I led the team, you know, I had five bowlers who in all had not played 15 games. So this is something that has never happened in the team before so we have to go with that. I'm sure that there is talent in Mumbai, but just the experience is a little bit less for the boys. 

“But I think we learned a lot from our last season. We didn't do well. But we won the one day as well. So that was a positive, winning the one dayers after 12 years. That was something positive for us. But, I think we have learned from our mistakes and with the junior team, I try as to how I can contribute to them, how I can contribute to the team's win. That's what I'm looking for.”

As the maxim goes, “Morning shows the day”, Lad had already shown the glimpse of his potential on the very first season, and that became a constant to his career. On a green pitch in Bengaluru, Mumbai were reduced to 61 for 4 in reply to Karnataka’s 251. They needed someone to hang in there and bat with the tail, when Lad, with nimble feet and laden boot, graciously negotiated pace and spin to fight for four hours for his 93. He built on that reputation to become a regular in Mumbai side, something that he is very proud of.

“Initially, I never thought that I would go and play for five, six years for Mumbai. Because I had always heard that playing for Mumbai is very difficult. But as time went, I learned a lot from my senior players. Abhishek nayar, Aditya Tare is my good friend, Rohit, Rahane. So all these big players, I always try and learn from these guys and I take that into my game. Playing from Mumbai, personally for me and my family, is a very big thing because we have seen some great players playing from afar. Cementing a place in the Mumbai side is a real achievement. So I'm happy and now I have to play more years, and win the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai in the future.”

“When you're batting as a batsman,  the opponents won't give you easy boundaries. Because you're the only batsman playing. So they'll try and keep the tailender on strike. It was very difficult for me to score runs in that period. But since I'm playing at number three, four, I'm getting that time. The field is set attacking to me. So I tend to get a lot of boundaries while playing at number three and four. Yes, there are some challenges, situations are challenging. You have to face a new ball. But right now I am learning, I'm enjoying my time playing number three, number four.”

“The feeling was amazing because I had to wait for five years to get that cap and I had never thought it would take five years. Initially, I had a thought I would play in my first year or max second but I'm happy Mumbai Indians kept faith on me. I don't see any player staying for five years and not playing any game. They've always backed me but since the team is star-studded, there's no scope. You have to play for the country, you have to do extremely well to get in the depth and compete with the best. So I knew that it is difficult but I'm happy that at last, I got it.”

“Everyone was happy for me because I started, I joined Mumbai Indians with Hardik and all, and they were really happy for me. Hardik, Krunal, they always wanted me to play for Mumbai Indians. They waited for a long time. Looking at everyone happy made me feel special. Also, sharing the dressing room with all the big names really boosted my confidence and that is something that helped me do well in my domestic season. I've always tried to learn things from them. How their work ethics are, how do they prepare before the game. What do they do in the off time. This is something that has really helped me to be mentally strong and take it to the domestic season.”