[Exclusive] I'm fortunate I got to play for India, I have no regrets: Faiz Fazal

CricTracker caught up with Faiz Fazal on the sidelines of the ongoing Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2024. The former Vidarbha captain is representing India Capitals in the six-team tournament which got underway last week.

Fazal played 138 first-class matches and scored 9184 runs at an average of 41. Meanwhile, in List A cricket, the southpaw played 113 matches and scored 3641 runs at an average of 35. He was one of the most prolific run-scorers in domestic cricket during his career but he only played one ODI for India against Zimbabwe, in which he scored an unbeaten 55.

Also Read: Exclusive: Asghar Afghan denies false rumours claiming cricket ban in Afghanistan

During an exclusive interview with CricTracker, Fazal said that he had no regrets after getting only one opportunity to play for India. Instead, he considers himself fortunate to have had the chance to represent the Men in Blue. The 39-year-old also spoke about the pleasure he gets from playing cricket and the benefits of leagues like the LLC. He also praised the talent in Indian cricket while speaking about youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant.

You scored heaps of runs domestic cricket, but you did not get a chance to play for India more than once. Do you have any regrets?

No, I have no regrets at all. I think I'm very fortunate and very blessed that out of 1.5 billion population, I got to play for India. I think that's a great achievement. If we think, in my life, several good things have happened. I won the Ranji Trophy twice as captain; won Irani Trophy twice as captain. I have also won the Duleep Trophy as a captain.

Playing for India was obviously the highest point in my career. I have played at Lord's, the 'Mecca of Cricket' for Rajasthan Royals. We played a charity game for Princess Trust. So, I have ticked all the big boxes quite well. Of coure, I am happy for that and I have got no regrets. But in a professional world, there is a feeling that I was a batter who could have played Test cricket. But I couldn't and that's okay. You don't get everything in life.

There are some players who didn't get the chance to represent their national teams but are getting to showcase their skills in Legends League Cricket. How big a platform is this and what are the benefits?

Obviously, we can run our passion a little bit more. The happiness we derive from playing can come from nowhere else. I'm very lucky that when I was in Northern Ireland as a pro, playing the Premier League cricket. I played this year and I hope I'll play next year as well. Over there, I mentored the batters of the Northern Knights team. There was also a Test match between Ireland and Zimbabwe and I mentored the Irish batters. I was very fortunate to get these opportunities. However, the happiness I get out of playing is different. So, these leagues and there are other leagues as well. It's great fun.

Also Read: CricTracker ties up with Legends League Cricket as Media Partner

Do you have plans to play in other leagues after LLC 2024?

Fingers crossed. I'll register everywhere and let's see where I get opportunities to play.

Who do you think can have a long career in red-ball format for India?

There is tremendous talent in India. I will say someone's name today and tomorrow another youngster will showcase his potential to the world. I think Shubman [Gill], Yashasvi [Jaiswal], Rishabh [Pant], who came back after such a big accident and scored a hundred in his first Test match, these are great players, so talented. We have a great crop in India and a great setup from BCCI, we have a great players who can serve India in the future.

Can Virat Kohli surpass Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 100 international centuries?

What difference will it make if he breaks it? Both are our players so it doesn't matter who holds the record. What can we say about Sachin Tendulkar? About Virat Kohli, he is legend already. He is doing his bit, keeps doing his hard work. It is uncontrollable. He keeps doing his hard work. He believes in it. And all these things, we keep on thinking. I feel he doesn't think about it.