 "Exclusive | 'Rohit Sharma a very calm guy and reads the game well, different from someone like Virat Kohli': Tim Southee")
New Zealand veteran pace bowler Tim Southee is just 18 wickets shy of entering 400 Test wicket-club. The former New Zealand captain has wonderful memories from the 2012 tour, where he picked up 7 for 64 in Bengaluru, (the same venue where the first Test begins on 16th October) which still are the best figures for a New Zealand pace bowler in India.
This writer spoke to Southee a few weeks before India’s upcoming Test assignment on a range of issues related to the upcoming three-match series.
Excerpts…
How big is this series for New Zealand given they have not won a Test since 1988 in India. And are yet to win a series in this part of the world?
Tim Southee: Yeah, very excited about that. It is a tough place to come. As you have mentioned that we do not have much success for a long time. Obviously, they are a very good side and they have shown it not only in Test format but in other formats as well. We know its going to be a tough challenge. As Kiwi, conditions are so different. We had recently two Test matches in Sri Lanka, (one-off Test against Afghanistan was washed out without a ball bowled in Greater Noida last month) so we have been playing matches in subcontinent. We know its tough place to play Test cricket but it will be exciting.
One of the batsmen from the famous Fab Four is Kane Williamson ( who is yet to reach India as he is not fully fit for the first game) and there is another one in Virat Kohli who is playing in this series. How do you see his recent form vis a vis a Joe Root or Williamson?
Impact Shorts
More ShortsTS: Obviously, Virat is a phenomenal player and his record speaks for itself. He sets standard so high that if it drops a little bit there is always some talk about him. He has been there before and comeback successfully and there is a reason why he is among the Fab Four. He is not only good in Tests but in all formats. Joe Root has been going great guns recently and we have Kane in our team. As a bowler you want to compete against the best. Its always a great challenge to play against such quality players like Virat.
What is your idea of leadership?
TS: Leadership is different in different environments and different countries have different ways of leadership. For us, it is about getting to know people, understanding people and try to get best out of them.
When you see Rohit Sharma, the Test captain, what are your impressions of him as a leader?
TS: You look at Rohit. He is a very calm guy. I have played under him for Mumbai Indians. He reads the game well and obviously well respected among the players. He is different from someone like Virat who is very passionate and well-respected for the way he plays. It’s about finding your own style as there is no right way or wrong way but how you find the balance and get the best out of your teammates.
India is no longer land of spin as you may have seen when you came to India for the first time but now India can play three pacers at home as well. How do you look at this evolution and especially with the emergence of Jasprit Bumrah as the leader of the pack.
TS: Yeah, India always has quality spinners and at this moment they have three very good, quality spinners in their team. And their pace bowlers are phenomenal too. (Mohammed) Shami (out of this series due to injury), Bumrah and (Mohammed) Siraj have done well not only in India but around the world as well. You look at the IPL and there is a new fast bowler who is emerging from every part and every month!
The talent you have in India is exposed through IPL and makes transition to international cricket. But those three guys are playing for a while now and are very experienced campaigners. Bumrah is just getting better and better. Shami before the injury was excellent as well . It is exciting times. It’s gone be challenging for us against them as a quality bowling attack which not only has world-class spinner but quality pacers as well.
You have been coming to India for a long time. You have seen this country evolving. There is one thing if you were to point out Indians can work on or improve upon?
TS: Traffic! ( a big laughter breaks out for few seconds between the reporter and Southee) On a serious note, not too much adverse thing. It’s been a real privilege to come over and play cricket in all kind of stadiums and all part of this country. The love for cricket and house full stadiums is an exciting experience.
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