"Cricket cannot be played without junoon" : Praveen Kumar
Trust Uttar Pradesh and Sunrisers Hyderabad seamer Praveen Kumar to speak from his heart. At a time when there are calls by former players to cut down on the on-field aggression by cricketers, the seamer, who likes to get the aggressive juices flowing, said the game would become boring if that happens.
"If I won't be aggressive, how will it work? As a fast bowler you have to be passionate and aggressive to bring the best out of yourself," the 28-year-old told dna from Vizag.
"It will become boring. There won't be fun in the game if I don't give a stare or tell a batsman anything. Not only does it give us an extra boost, but people also get to enjoy the contest. If I run in, bowl, get hit for a boundary, go back again to my run-up, showing my back, the game will become boring. You won't get to see the junoon (passion). Cricket cannot be played without junoon," he added.
PK, as he is fondly called by his friends, however said the aggression should not go beyond a limit.
"People get to see an interesting contest between batsman and bowler. However, it should not go beyond a point. The same players who fight it out have coffee after the match. We don't take it home. It shouldn't be an issue," he said.
Kumar, who was bought by SRH for Rs 2.2 crore in the IPL auction in February, said he is excited to play alongside Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma.
"I am really excited. Last year there was an unfortunate injury that forced me to miss out (on the IPL). This is a nice and simple franchise and I am looking forward to playing for them," he said.
"We have different bowlers, some who can hit the deck hard, some who can swing, someone who can swing and bowl fast. We will get to learn a lot from each other. I have played with Dale Steyn before. We have a strong combination and I'm keen to start with the new ball," he said.
IPL helps players get into the radar of the Indian selectors, but Kumar, who last played for India in 2012, said he is not thinking on those lines.
"Every player is different and everyone has different perceptions. Some think of impressing selectors by performing in IPL while some choose Ranji Trophy. I have done well in Ranji this season and produced some good performances. I would like to take one match at a time and try to do well. Rest, leave it to God," he said.
Kumar made a great impact in his first year of international cricket before fading out due to an ankle injury, But he said he doesn't look back at it.
"It happens in cricket. Injuries are a part and parcel of the game. You will be really lucky if you don't get injured. I don't think too much about it. I rather focus on the future. I have been bowling a lot and am positive. There is a lot of hunger in me," he said.
Does he see swing bowler Bhuvneshar Kumar as a competition in the Indian team?
"I don't believe in competition. I try to do my own stuff. As far as Bhuvi is concerned, he is my kid. I have taught him the game," he said.
Kumar knows his role precisely for SRH. "My role is to get wickets in the beginning, then keep it tight in the death overs. Stay positive. This is the plan and this is what I want to do," he said.
Source:
http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-cricket-cannot-be-played-without-junoon-praveen-kumar-2075300
Agree with kumar , aggressiveness is a key weapon in the fast bowler's arsenal as a cricket fan I relish seeing players fired up like wahab riaz or starc.
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