After defeating 40 time winners Mumbai at the Wankhede, allrounder feels that the great feat would do a world of good for the people of his state.

Allrounder Parveez Rasool is not likely to forget 10 December 2014 for the rest of his life. For that was the day when he led minnows Jammu and Kashmir to their greatest triumph over 40-time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai at the Wandkhede Stadium. For Rasool, this victory went beyond a mere statistic — he said it was it was a tribute to the flood hit people of his state.

“I will thank God first that I can dedicate this win to all the flood stricken people of my state. For I believe that adversities bring out the best out in someone. And believe me, I will dedicate this fantastic win to all those people who suffered during the devastating floods during the month of September,” he said.

What makes Rasool and his team’s win even more significant is the fact that due to the floods the Jammu and Kashmir team had virtually no practice before their match against Mumbai. “The devastation caused by the floods was such that we did not get to practice at all. Not only that with so much devastation around, it was very difficult for us to focus on cricket. But we were determined to do something for thepeople of our ravaged state,” he said.

He said that the damage suffered by some of this teammates made them more determined than ever to defeat Mumbai. “Some of the members of our team have gone through quite bad times in terms of loss of property. This only added to their resolve to something special for their brethren in the state.  For they felt that the people back home had suffered was a great deal more than a Ranji Trophy match,” said Rasool.

Coming back to the game against Mumbai, Rasool felt that the J&K team started believing themselves. “We knew beating Mumbai at the Wankhede was a really tall ask. But then a win for us was also possible. To achieve that we told ourselves that we had to play out of our skin. And mind you nothing less than that would help us to beat the 40-time champions in their backyard,” he said.

Rasool said that Sandeep Patil, chairman of the selection committee had congratulated him after his team’s win over Mumbai. “I thought that was a great gesture. He (Sandeep) has been a good player during his time. I thought his gesture was a great one. I was very thrilled after I got to talk to him following our win,” said Rasool.

Rasool was also quick to credit former coach and spin great Bishen Singh Bedi. Bedi who was the former coach of the Jammu and Kashmir team for a couple of years has been a great inspiration to the team. And Rasool was quick to point out that factor. “It was Bedi sir who told us that there is nothing called strong and weak on a cricket field. The upward graph of J&K cricket started with Bedi sir’s arrival. Our quarter-final appearance in the Ranji Trophy last season, is a testimony that this victory is not a one-off thing,” he said.

He also said Bedi had played a big role in evolving him as a better bowler. “Bedi sir was always supportive of whatever I did. He always wanted me to try new things. And that is where I feel I have really evolved as a better spinner. I can tell you that for the encouragement from Bedi sir I would not have been the player that I am today. I owe a great deal to him,” he added.

There were glad tidings for Rasool when he was shortlisted for the World Cup probables list last week, making him the first player from Jammu and Kashmir to be shortlisted for the World Cup. “I know it is the dream of every cricketer to play in the World Cup. It would be really great if I get to play for Team India Down Under,” he said. The pragmatic cricketer that Rasool is right now is real concern is to score as many runs and take as many wickets for Jammu and Kashmir. “I feel the top priority for me right now is now to perform my best for the Jammu and Kashmir team in the Ranji Trophy,” he said.

source: http://www.sunday-guardian.com / The Sunday Guardian / Home> Sports / by Saji Chacko / New Delhi – October 13th, 2014