Baba Aparajith: I want to play all formats of the game as a genuine all rounder

Baba Aparajith came into the scene during India‘s successful campaign in 2012 Under-19 World Cup in Australia. Having tasted success as a 19-year old the Tamil Nadu top-order batsman has never looked back. Following an excellent Ranji Trophy season he scored a double-hundred on Duleep trophy debut. In an exclusive interview with Sandipan Banerjee, Aparajith talks about his career, memorable innings and more.     

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CricketCountry (CC): As a 19 year old, you have tasted the success of a “World Cup win”. How did it feel then?

Baba Aparajith (BA): It was great. It was an unforgettable moment of our life. For me, at that age it felt like a dream. We all [all the team members] cherished that moment.

CC: Take us through the match-winning knock against Pakistan in Under-19 World Cup.

BA: That was an important game (the quarterfinal) for us. We bowled well and got Pakistan out for a low score. But while chasing, we lost quite a few wickets. So I decided to play according to the situation. It worked for me. But I was disappointed not to finish the game for my team. But finally we won, which was a relief for me.

CC: On your debut match in Duleep Trophy, you scored a career-best 212. Will you call it the best knock you have ever played so far?

BA: Well, I would not say that was the best knock of mine.  I have played quite a few important knocks. My debut hundred in Ranji Trophy against Karnataka was also special. That wicket was turning a bit and I applied myself on that track. So I don’t want to differentiate among my knocks. Every good innings is special.

CC: Now lots of good cricketers like Sanju Samson, Lokesh Rahul, Karun Nair etc are coming up from South Zone. So do you think it is an extra pressure on you to perform better?

BA: Not really. I don’t compare me to anyone. It is good that more cricketers are coming up, but I only think about my performance, when I am on the field.

CC: Now you are quite regular at the domestic cricket, representing either Tamil Nadu or South Zone. What is your personal goal for the upcoming season?

BA:I have not made any personal goals as such. I always try to give my best when I am on the ground. Whether it is School cricket or Ranji Trophy match, I always try to perform such a way, that my team get the benefits from it.

CC: According to you which format of cricket suits you most?

BA: There is no preference. I have done well first class matches as well as List A games. So prefer all three formats and I want to play all three formats in future.

CC: Which is your favourite position at the batting order?

BA: I am a top-order batsman, so I prefer to bat in either opening or number three or four. But for my team, I can wherever my captain wants me to bat.

CC: Who is your favourite Test cricketer? 

BA: Sachin Sir [Sachin Tendulkar] and Dravid Sir [Rahul Dravid]. They both are my personal favourites. I met both of them and it was great. Before going to the Under-19 World Cup, we met Sachin Sir. He guided us about how to handle pressure.

CC: Subsequent to your match-winning performances in Under 19-World cup and domestic cricket, you are regarded as one of the future Test player for India. How do you handle this extra pressure?

BA: It is good to be recognised but I do not take extra pressure for this. At the back of the mind I might think about those things sometime when I am off the field but on field I only think about performing, because I know the less I will take pressure, the more I can perform. To get into the Indian team I need to do well in domestic cricket. So that is my priority now. Apart from this there is no extra pressure on me as such.

CC: How much importance you give to your bowling?

BA: Initially I was a batsman who can bowl a bit. But now a day I take my bowling very seriously.  I want to become a genuine all-rounder.

CC: How is the experience of sharing the dressing-room with greats like MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming, Brendon Mccullum, Faf du plessis? What have you learnt from them?

BA: For a young cricketer like me, it is really great. Every member of the team is very helpful. The communication between me and the senior cricketers are really good. Last season, Michael Hussey helped me a lot. He guided me about how to about things in my career.

CC: Have you spoken to your Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammates after their Champions League T20 (CLT20) Triumph?

BA: Well, I have sent one congratulation SMS to Pawan Negi. It was a great victory for us. I really missed to be a part of the team. Actually we have 20 players and in CLT20 they only allow 15 members in one team, so they somehow could not accommodate me this time.

CC: Apart from playing how much time you give to your education?

BA: Education is very important, but I am a cricketer first, then a student. I am average in studies. But so far I have cleared all my exams with decent marks, which is more than enough for me. My collage authorities also supported me a lot. They always encourage me to be a good cricketer.

CC: Describe Indrajit, your twin brother as a cricketer, as a teammate and as a companion.

BA: Indrajit is a good cricketer. He made his debut last season. It is good to have my brother around me in the team. We can share lots of things to each other.

(Sandipan Banerjee is a reporter at CricketCountry. Cricket has been the biggest passion for him since his childhood. So, when it came to choosing his career, he chose to turn his passion into his profession. Apart from cricket he likes mountain trekking, river rafting, and photography. His twitter handle is @im_sandipan)