'I like to work things out for myself'
He was the surprise hit of India's Pakistan tour
Anand Vasu
25-May-2004
He was the surprise hit of India's Pakistan tour. Anand Vasu catches up with India's new swing sensation, Lakshmipathy Balaji. This interview appeared in the May 2004 issue of Wisden Asia Cricket.
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We see you've got yourself a tattoo.
Ah yes, that was something I did for fun. I was in Guyana with India A and I got this roaring tiger tattooed on my shoulder. You can see my name under it as well.
Ah yes, that was something I did for fun. I was in Guyana with India A and I got this roaring tiger tattooed on my shoulder. You can see my name under it as well.
What did you do with that bat you broke hitting sixes in the one-dayers?
I've got it autographed by various members of the team. John Wright has written, "To the next great black Bradman," so you can see my batting is causing a few laughs in the team.
I've got it autographed by various members of the team. John Wright has written, "To the next great black Bradman," so you can see my batting is causing a few laughs in the team.
When you started off you bowled from wide of the crease. How hard have you had to work to come closer to the stumps?
I had to work very hard. I didn't get lbw decisions when I was going wide of the crease; now that I've come closer I'm getting lbws and my outswinger has come back as well. I had to change the angle of my run-up. Once I got that right I was able to come close to the stumps.
I had to work very hard. I didn't get lbw decisions when I was going wide of the crease; now that I've come closer I'm getting lbws and my outswinger has come back as well. I had to change the angle of my run-up. Once I got that right I was able to come close to the stumps.
What was the best advice you got?
Actually I'm a person who believes in thinking things out for myself, rather than blindly following advice. The motivation to do this came from my coaches. The encouragement I got from Bruce Reid in Australia was tremendous. He kept telling me that I could be a good bowler for India. That gave me the confidence to bowl well, and it boosted my performance in the one-dayers there. That was when the outswinger began to come back.
Actually I'm a person who believes in thinking things out for myself, rather than blindly following advice. The motivation to do this came from my coaches. The encouragement I got from Bruce Reid in Australia was tremendous. He kept telling me that I could be a good bowler for India. That gave me the confidence to bowl well, and it boosted my performance in the one-dayers there. That was when the outswinger began to come back.
What does it take to swing the ball consistently?
I have always had the natural outswinger. In the Rawalpindi Test there was lateral movement off the wicket. There was movement in the air, but this had a bit to do with the wind blowing from right to left. The balls that got Shoaib Akhtar and Kamran Akmal were both deliveries that moved one way in the air and another off the wicket.
I have always had the natural outswinger. In the Rawalpindi Test there was lateral movement off the wicket. There was movement in the air, but this had a bit to do with the wind blowing from right to left. The balls that got Shoaib Akhtar and Kamran Akmal were both deliveries that moved one way in the air and another off the wicket.
What was the big moment of the Pakistan tour for you?
The fact that I could be part of a historic Test win and then a historic series win as a youngster coming into just my second series will make me remember almost everything that happened. When you can help the team win, like in the last Test, it's a big high.
The fact that I could be part of a historic Test win and then a historic series win as a youngster coming into just my second series will make me remember almost everything that happened. When you can help the team win, like in the last Test, it's a big high.
Was the early criticism justified?
When you're in a bad patch there will always be criticism, and you have it in every profession. But criticism makes me think positively. When someone points out a fault it just reminds me to do things right the next time around. It makes you work harder; it makes you a perfectionist in some ways.
When you're in a bad patch there will always be criticism, and you have it in every profession. But criticism makes me think positively. When someone points out a fault it just reminds me to do things right the next time around. It makes you work harder; it makes you a perfectionist in some ways.
Why were you such a big hit in Pakistan?
I have never got this kind of reception anywhere. Not even at home. It's clear that the people in Pakistan like me a lot, because they've been chanting "Balaji, Balaji" in the stands, and there are many songs based on my name. I was very surprised when it happened for the first time, but I must say it was a great encouragement for me. That people view you like this makes a huge difference.
I have never got this kind of reception anywhere. Not even at home. It's clear that the people in Pakistan like me a lot, because they've been chanting "Balaji, Balaji" in the stands, and there are many songs based on my name. I was very surprised when it happened for the first time, but I must say it was a great encouragement for me. That people view you like this makes a huge difference.
Where did all those sixes come from?
Previously I used to be a khadoos player. If you remember the Irani Trophy match against Mumbai, I batted for almost two hours without playing a single straight-drive or heave in the air. I have plenty of patience. But in one-day cricket if you just stay at the wicket and can't rotate the strike, you aren't doing a good job for your team. You definitely have to try something outside your ability. That's what I did and it clicked.
Previously I used to be a khadoos player. If you remember the Irani Trophy match against Mumbai, I batted for almost two hours without playing a single straight-drive or heave in the air. I have plenty of patience. But in one-day cricket if you just stay at the wicket and can't rotate the strike, you aren't doing a good job for your team. You definitely have to try something outside your ability. That's what I did and it clicked.
What reactions have you got from home?
I speak to my coach, NP Balaji, everyday. At the end of each day we have a chat about how I have bowled. He's always there to keep an eye on me and encourage me. Even on days when I don't get wickets he tells me, "Tomorrow may be your day." After a certain point you don't need coaching as far as technical aspects are concerned; a motivator is more important.
I speak to my coach, NP Balaji, everyday. At the end of each day we have a chat about how I have bowled. He's always there to keep an eye on me and encourage me. Even on days when I don't get wickets he tells me, "Tomorrow may be your day." After a certain point you don't need coaching as far as technical aspects are concerned; a motivator is more important.
Which of your wickets do you prize the most?
The best wicket of the whole tour was Inzamam's. He's the kind of player who can rattle any bowing attack. I wanted to get him early and I did. That was very satisfying.
The best wicket of the whole tour was Inzamam's. He's the kind of player who can rattle any bowing attack. I wanted to get him early and I did. That was very satisfying.
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