Play ball by ball and look to win the match: Mandeep Singh

Mandeep Singh showed some character when he picked himself back up from the failures of the first T20 to compile a wonderful half-century against Zimbabwe in the second match. Mandeep also seemed to have heeded the strong advice of skipper MS Dhoni who had stated earlier that the young guns on the side need to seize their opportunities.

Mandeep Singh also added that he was indeed nervous in his first encounter against Zimbabwe as he smashed 31 runs off 27 deliveries. However, the second T20 saw Mandeep at the best of his form as he smashed a half-century handing the Indians a victory. In spite of having a ton of T20 matches under his belt, he was relegated to the bench for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

“When I went out in the first game, I was quite nervous about it being my first game. The moment I took a stance, all I thought was about winning the game. I honestly forgot that it was my first game. And that is the biggest credit to BCCI and NCA for the way they’ve built us up – ‘Play ball to ball and look to win the match’, rather than thinking about the series or anything else.

“I couldn’t sleep well last night if I can be honest. Could have been matching pressure or nervousness. Par mujhe lagta hai jab main andar jaata hoon, toh aise lagta hai bas batting karni hai, match jitaana hai(but I feel the moment I step on to the field, I have to bat well and win the game for my team)” Mandeep Singh revealed in the post-match press conference after India’s 10-wicket win to level the three-match series, on Monday (June 20).

“In my opinion, if we keep thinking about Zimbabwe not winning a series or the fact that the selectors are watching us, then there will be more pressure. We have all played together, Rahul and the rest, we’re taught this at the NCA about concentrating on the process.”

Although he added that the wicket wasn’t an easy one to bat on, Mandeep scored the only half-century in the match as the Indians went on to claim an easy victory. “According to me, the wicket wasn’t easy for shot-making. The ball was keeping a little low. At the start, I was trying to hit hard, because I generally play aggressively. But I watched Rahul and he asked me to calm down a little and try to time the ball. The ball isn’t going to come onto the bat on this wicket. Slowly I controlled the nerves and then I was fine.”