IPL snub pushed me to prove calibre: Ravi Teja
Hyderabad: After being snubbed in the IPL auctions, where his name was removed from the list post scrutiny, Hyderabad all-rounder T Ravi Teja was disappointed. However, he knew that all was not over for him.
The 27-year-old cricketer knew the only way to bounce back was to perform well and prove his calibre. And boy, he did that in some style. He bagged two Player of the Match awards in the three Ranji Trophy matches with some exceptional performances both with bat and ball. He scalped 20 wickets and scored 197 runs including two crucial half-centuries.
Speaking about his performance, he said, “Yes, I was more determined to prove myself after the IPL snub. I am an all-rounder and I thought any IPL team could have picked me. I have been performing at the highest level in the country. So, not getting picked was a bit disappointing. I believe that I am made for top level cricket and I wanted to prove that.”
Ravi Teja had an impressive Ranji debut scoring 70 and a five-wicket haul on the maiden outing in the match against Railways in 2017 which earned him the Player of the Match award. The left handed batter and right arm bowler took the Player of the Match against Chandigarh for picking up nine wickets in the match, including a second-innings six-wicket haul. In the match against Baroda he scalped eight wickets, four in each innings, and scored a fine half-century in the second innings. He also made an unbeaten 81 against Bengal.
On IPL disappointment, he said, “If any youngster is looking at IPL as their goal, it is not the end of their career. (G Hanuma) Vihari is a great example. Once we start playing well, people will notice you. When we played against Bengal, their coach Arun Lal came to me and appreciated me for my efforts. He said I can play at the next level.”
The all-rounder said that he has grown as a cricketer and added that he is more confident about his game. “I knew that I had the batting in me but I was not sure about my bowling at the top level. It requires skill and pace. I started working very hard on my bowling. I am working closely with TK Diliep (Team India fielding coach), who helped me a lot with my bowling and fitness. I have seen how Siraj bowls long spells and learnt that.”
Being a senior player now in the team, he wants to be the team’s ‘go-to-man’. “In the initial days of my career, I felt that I am playing as an individual player. Now my mindset is different. I have realised that more than my personal achievements, I want to contribute to the team’s success. When the team is in trouble, I want to be that ‘go-to-man’ in times of crisis.”
He added that though Hyderabad failed to move ahead in the season, the team has performed very well. “We can keep our heads high after beating two top teams (Baroda and Chandigarh). We gave a tough fight to Bengal in the second match as well. As a team we want to win more trophies. Motivation and confidence in the team are very high.”
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