Published: May 23, 2015, 08:00 AM (IST)
Edited: May 26, 2015, 01:04 PM (IST)
Krishmar Santokie is one of the leading Twenty20 bowlers in the world. One look at his record will tell you why. He has 118 wickets in 67 matches at 13.83 and an outstanding economy rate of 6.58. Santokie is a part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Nishad Pai Vaidya spoke to Santokie about CPL, the art of bowling in T20 cricket and spending time with Mumbai Indians (MI) last year.
Excerpts:
CricketCountry (CC): You have played for Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL. They have done quite well over the past two seasons. What are your thoughts leading up to the third year?
Krishmar Santokie (KS): Guyana Amazon Warriors have always been a competitive team. I think most CPL teams are of more or less equal strength. There are balanced teams. We are looking forward to a competitive tournament this season.
CC: Last year you made it to the final where rain came into play. Barbados Tridents won the CPL. How difficult was it for you to deal with it?
KS: Last year was very difficult knowing the fact that nobody was happy with the result and how it went. We have reached the finals twice and lost both. It is just how the game of cricket goes. We just have to move on.
CC: You have mainly been restricted to T20 cricket and are yet to make your First-Class debut. Your thoughts on that aspect of your career?
KS: To be honest, I am not worried about it. I just try and stay positive about everything knowing that when the opportunity presents itself, I am always ready. I am quite happy with where I am. I will like to play some more in places like South Africa and Australia. I am okay playing T20 cricket for West Indies, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Jamaica. It is another opportunity for me to go out there and show my talent. READ: Variation is the key in T20, says Krishmar Santokie
CC: What do you think is the key to your success in T20 cricket — bowling those four overs and succeeding in that short spell?
KS: You have to think ahead of the batsman. That is the main thing. Variation is the key in T20 cricket. The batsman is always going to come at you. So you have to be ahead of him. You have to be positive.
CC: You have a particularly good yorker that swings into the right-hander. How have you worked on it and would you say it is your biggest strength?
KS: Yes. Early on, it is the biggest variation for me because the ball gets a lot of swing when it is new. If you get the ball in the blockhole it is difficult to play. You have to use it to the best of your ability. Not every time it is going to work, but you have to believe in yourself to put the ball where you want it. It has been working for over the years.
CC: What would you say about the art of bowling at the death? What are the key areas you have to focus on?
KS: Death bowling can be good or bad for a bowler, for the batsman is always going to go after you. There is always an opportunity to take a wicket, but you have a batsman on the go. You have to be strong as a bowler and as an individual. No matter what the situation, you have to back yourself. You just have to think and not try too hard.
CC: So, would you say over-thinking and over-analysing complicates bowling at the death?
KS: Yes. It can definitely do a lot of damage to you as a bowler because if you over-think, the line starts to go all over the place. As I said, you have to keep it simple and have a clear mind about what you want to bowl.
CC: Can you describe your experience of playing in India during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 for MI?
KS: Unfortunately, I did not get to play much but just being there; it was a breathtaking opportunity for me being around all those great players like Sachin (Tendulkar), (Anil) Kumble and all the others. Playing with (Lasith) Malinga, (Kieron) Pollard and all the other players — it was good. I learnt some things from them, the way they go about playing their game. It was a good opportunity. I hope to have that opportunity in future again for me to play more. READ: Playing in the IPL is a dream, according to Krishmar Santokie
Krishmar Santokie plays for Jamaica Tallawahs in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League. The Biggest Party in Sport runs from June 20 to July 26.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)
