Prashant Gupta Interview: It’s been long since we have won a tournament and this win was seriously very special

Prashant Gupta, the Uttar Pradesh opener is an elegant right-handed batsman. His contribution was a very important one for his team in the final of the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The floodlit affair at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday was contested between Suresh Raina-captained Uttar Pradesh and Irfan Pathan’s Baroda. UP proved too strong and lifted the cup in front of an impressive turnout at one of India’s best cricketing venues.

Prashant played 9 matches and scored 317 runs at an average of 39.62 in a highly successful campaign which saw UP undefeated throughout. His top score of 53 was registered against Odisha in Cuttack. His most important knock, though, was the solid 41-ball 49 he scored in the final that helped his team reach a total that proved enough in the end. This was also the top individual score of the match. The batsman had experienced a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the said competition against the same opposition and at the same venue in 2014 hence he was understandably overjoyed about getting over the line this time around. CricTracker got a chance to get this talented batsman share his views on his game, team and more.

Shed some light on your cricket in Kanpur and how did you get attracted to the sport.

I was born in Kanpur but spent my childhood in Mumbai. I was brought up there (Mumbai) and that’s where my interest developed as I used to play a lot of tennis ball cricket. I loved Mumbai but the family had to relocate to Kanpur. After we landed up there my father found out that I wanted to take the sport seriously. I joined the cricket academy at Kamla Club in Kanpur where they have fantastic facilities. It is now the UPCA’s (Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association) academy and no longer a private one. I then played junior cricket for the state and it has been an eventful journey ever since. I wasn’t in the Ranji Squad this season and was demoralized with my confidence being at an all-time low. I was playing local cricket but wasn’t feeling good about myself but got a chance out of the blue in the 2015 Vijay Hazare Trophy. In two of the matches, I scored 46 and 48. I missed out on a place in the quarterfinal against Tamil Nadu which we lost but I have been doing well in the T20’s since a few years now.

The feeling when you made your First-class debut in 2008 against Tamil Nadu.

The competition is always very tough in UP. Making it to the Ranji Squad at the age of 19 was a big moment and a turning point for me. I didn’t score centuries in the Under 22 matches but got a couple of 90’s and was batting well. The selectors opted for me and drafted me in the squad since some of the senior players were not doing well at that time. Mohammad Kaif was unwell so I got a chance in the playing eleven but I was as nervous any other player making his debut would be feeling. I was disheartened to get out cheaply but I batted well in 1st innings. I was somehow out in my mind even before I walked out to bat in the second innings. The match was a disaster since we lost by an innings and 238 runs. Due to the competition for places, I got my next chance to play after 2 years though I kept traveling with the team.

You waited for five years for your List A debut and it was memorable one against Rajasthan where you scored 87 which still remains your best in the format.

I should seriously be thanking Venkatesh Prasad, our coach at that time for this. I had never opened the innings even in local matches and I suddenly got a call from him stating that he wants me to open since the he felt I would do well at that position. I wasn’t sure but since sitting out was frustrating, I took the chance and fortunately for me it paid off.

Tell us something about your highest First-class score of 144 against Rajasthan in Jaipur. 

It was one of those dicey tracks being a green top. I was fresh from a 73 odd against TN in the previous game, however, got out cheaply in first innings. Venkatesh Prasad had asked me to be more positive as far as my approach is concerned in that season. He never interfered but gave me the freedom to play my shots. That approach paid off in the second innings and I batted well. It wasn’t about the score but the manner in which I batted that pleased me the most. Of course, a first ton is always special. Particularly on a challenging track and against a good bowling lineup that had the likes of Pankaj Singh, Ramesh Powar, and Aniket Choudhary.

For a stylish batsman who treats the ball on its merit and belongs to the old school of batting, your First-class average is below 30 but it’s impressive in the T20s being nearly 35.

My First-class average has slipped down since a couple of years. A couple of years back there was a rule of leaving a certain amount of grass on the pitch in domestic cricket. This shouldn’t be looked as an excuse but with the kind of conditions in the northern part of the country, it got a little difficult for batsmen to get big runs. I am in no way defending my low average and am aware that as a batsman I should be able to play in different conditions hence am making a conscious effort to tighten my technique. I am still hopeful that my average will improve and I will get more and more runs.

Describe your fiery knock of 102 off 58 balls in a big run chase against Haryana in a Syed Mushtaq Ali match in 2014 when you hammered seven sixes and five fours.

We had scored about 35-36 runs in first 6 overs and it was a slow start compared to that of Haryana. I have to give credit to Venky Bhai again. I wasn’t confident about my stroke play but he was and told me to hit straight and avoid playing across the line. He might have been disappointed to see me get out in the manner in which I did a couple of days back in the final. I was conscious about hitting straight. Also, it was a batting beauty at Rajkot and it would be unfair to say that I batted brilliantly or that the bowlers bowled badly. Haryana is a good side and it was just one of those days when everything just clicked nicely for me.

You scored 68 in the final against Baroda in 2014 yet the team lost from 116 for 1 in the 17th over chasing a target of 145

No one including me ever thought we would lose the match from that position. It was a total mess from our end though I would not blame a single person. I take the responsibility on myself that had I batted for a couple of moreover, the game would have been over. It was a painful since we won that brilliant game against Haryana to qualify for the final. It was disappointing to lose an easy game from that situation.

Against the same opposition, at the same venue two years later you score and this time, the team won.

It’s been long since we have won a tournament and this win (2016) was seriously very special. There were things being said around India that UP are chokers and they don’t play well at a big stage, get nervous and can’t bring best. This win was hence seriously pleasing. What I think is we have to build as a unit from here. It’s not just about me or someone but it’s about a team. There are a lot of talented players in the side and we need to continue to build.

With players like PK and Suresh Raina who have international experience, what was the dressing room atmosphere like?

It was one of the key reasons we were able to lift the cup. The dressing room environment was so free that you could walk up to a player like Raina and discuss a problem or ask a query. It could be a stupid question but no one had any reservations since the environment was such. This personality and freedom reflected on the field.

Who is your most mischievous team-mate?

Quite a few, in fact, all the UP players are mischievous. Everyone has their own unique ways.

Any aspect of your game that you particularly working on

My technique has to tighten up. In this tournament I would have loved to score three to four 70’s but I got out in 40’s. I was getting out to spinners hence, will work on this aspect in the nets. Fitness is something that can always keep improving. A good technique is needed in T20 or any format of the game.

Any expectations from the IPL.

When I got the ton against Haryana in 2014 I expected that I will get a chance in any of the teams but that didn’t happen so I stopped thinking about it. I try to do my bit, live in the process and have done well recently hence am happy. I just want to be in this happy zone and continue doing my basics.

Your favorite player.

Martin Guptill, I just love the way he bats.