I want to learn consistency from Virat: Mandeep Singh

25-year-old Mandeep Singh’s international career sparked to life when he was named in the Indian T20I team for the tour of Zimbabwe. He made his debut there and scored 87 runs in 3 matches with the best of 52*. He was a part of the team when New Zealand toured India but didn’t get a game now he has been once again named in the squad for the T20Is against England and will be hoping the new skipper Virat Kohli pictures him in the scene.

Mandeep has been a regular for his domestic side Punjab and also for the Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers Bangalore where he has played under the leadership of skipper Kohli. Talking about his game and the improvements he has made Mandeep was quoted by Mid-Day as saying, “I have improved my front foot play this time. My strength was my footwork and this season I have played both on the front and back foot. Footwork was the key for me and this has been my major improvement,”

He was picked for the India A team where the youngsters on the Indian team radar are sent to play under the guidance of coach Rahul Dravid. Mandeep did wonderful 95 against Australia A in the final of the one-day series to ensure the Indians won the game. “Rahul bhai helped me during this stage. I started to keep my bat on the ground and my head too was in a good position. Rahul bhai told me not to think too much about my technique as technically I was very strong, but more importantly to keep a cool and calm mind. He said not to think too much,” he said.

Like a lot of young cricketers in India and around the world Mandeep also wishes to absorb from Virat his consistency. “I just have to improve my fitness and have to increase my adaptability to a situation. I have to be more consistent and want to learn how to be consistent from Virat. Even if it’s a T20 match, I can’t just smash the ball all the time,” Mandeep said.

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He is also excited about the fact that Virat will now be leading the team in all the three formats and termed him a benchmark setter. “It’s already benefiting Indian cricket. Virat has raised the standard of fitness and commitment in the game. If everyone follows his regime, it will be great.”

Mandeep was also happy his senior teammate from Punjab Yuvraj Singh has also made it to the team. “Yuvraj is like an older brother to me. He deserves his place,” he added.

Honeymoon can wait

He recently got married to Jagdeep Jaiswal who is a British national on December 25 but the couple will have to wait until they have time to spend together since Mandeep is now off to national duties and will have a packed schedule until the end of the IPL 2017. “My wife has been my lucky charm,” Mandeep said.

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“I told her that we can do whatever we want till December 31. We will think about the honeymoon later, maybe after the Indian Premier League (IPL),” he added.