After a great contribution to the 39th win for Mumbai at the Ranji Trophy, iSport announces Ajit Agarkar as the Athlete of the Month. iSporter Nupur Gadkari talks..
Born on December 4th 1977, Ajit Bhalchandra Agarkar is India's famous right-arm fast-medium bowler. After playing for Mumbai and then being chosen as a part of the International Team to represent India in Cricket, Ajit started with a very promising career that each fan would agree had a long innings! He enjoyed success at the beginning of his career and made his presence felt in the International arena by making the fastest ODI 50 wickets. He even had a good hand at batting and scored both half centuries and century that only made his statistics look impressive. However, there was a dip in the graph post these laurels and the numbers began to drop. While he was on top of the charts at a point in his career with the stats, he also had seven consecutive ducks against Australia in his Test match career!
Today, after having his share of ups and downs he has had a major contribution to the 39th Ranji Trophy win for Mumbai. He is on a high after the win and is back in form on the domestic Cricket front! We at iSport had a great opportunity to inteview him and here is what he had to say.
iSport: How did you choose Cricket as a profession?
Ajit: I’ve always enjoyed playing Cricket- batting at first and then bowling. When you’re 12 you don’t know if it will become a profession! So I am very grateful!
iSport: Who was your source of inspiration to get into this sport?
Ajit: My father and my uncle Patekar Kaka always encouraged the game. And when I did start playing it was my coach, Achrekar sir.
iSport: Who is your ultimate Cricket Icon?
Ajit: That would have to be Sir Vivian Richards in my childhood days. When I started playing it was Sachin Tendulkar
iSport: How did you feel when you started playing for India internationally?
Ajit: I was sure that I wanted to play for the country and when the big moment finally arrived I was nervous and at the same time very excited!
iSport: Your best memory / proudest moment of international cricket?
Ajit: My best memory would be the Adelaide Test match 2003-04 when things turned around for India in Australia. Although it was a very tough game and I contributed to the win - to beat Australia in Australia was a great moment for me and the team!
iSport: What in your opinion are your strengths and weaknesses as a Cricketer?
Ajit: I would say that I am always positive and have a never give up attitude. For me it’s all about giving it my all.
iSport: You broke Warne's record of the fastest 50 ODI wickets in just 23 matches. Post this your record has been fairly average. What's your take on this dip?
Ajit: Well, it really depends on what you read of these statistics. Recently a kid wrote to me on what he wrote on his blog. He said that statistics in my case have always been defined by the media in a usually negative. But he wrote something that will stay with me forever, He wrote, "Ajit, I wish I had a chance to be in your shoes. With 3 World Cups, A World Cup win (20- 20), one World Cup final, Test match wins in England, West Indies, New Zealand, Australia, Zimbabwe and an ODI career making you the only the 3rd Indian bowler to make it to over 250 wickets and world over among the 8 all rounder players to have made it. I would love to be the loser that you are described to be. And for averages, will take your 5 average over the 5.5, 6 that currently exist!". I will always remember this.
So whether I have played for India, Mumbai, Middlesex, or KKR ... I give it my best and play to win.
iSport: Your best teammate in the international team? And why?
Ajit: Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan because they are easy to get along with.
iSport: Your best teammate in the Ranji Trophy team? And why?
Ajit: Sachin, Zaheer and Ramesh Powar
iSport: How was the Ranji season for you this time?
Ajit: Simply brilliant! Especially the finals and both bowling and batting wise. It was a satisfying one!
iSport: What was your best moment at the Ranji Trophy time?
Ajit: The best moment was the last over, last wicket and the realisation that we have continued the winning streak! It was my 6th final win, but this one was extra special!
iSport: What’s your take on the bans/fines etc that are imposed by the cricketing authorities?
Ajit: I think it keeps everyone in order
iSport: What was your contribution to the Ranji’s 39th win? Please elaborate.
Ajit: It’s a team sport and everyone in the final contributed. It’s not about 5 wickets or 2 wickets. it’s about doing it together as a team.
iSport: How do you feel right after the 39th win for Mumbai at the Ranji Trophy finals?
Ajit: Truly an unbelievable win. More importantly, when school kids wrote to me saying they have followed every day of the game it was a great feeling! 5 day cricket is an ultimate achievement for any cricketer and it’s nice to know the kids also
enjoy watching a game that requires a lot of discipline, patience and hardwork.
iSport: Any comments on the fine of 50% of the match fee that was imposed by the BCCI?
Ajit: Nope.
iSport: What exactly transpired on the field for the authorities to fine you. Can you run us through the events?
Ajit: Too much has been written about it already.
iSport: Anything you'd like to say to justify your stand on the fine?
Ajit: Nothing.
iSport: Lastly your message to all iSport readers and your fans!
Ajit: Enjoy the year! There is plenty of world sport including F1, Tennis, Football and Cricket coming up. Stay healthy and safe and ofcourse thanks for all the support!
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a guest
said:
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... Its the right time to be selected him to the team india lacks a wicket taking bowler now. |
a guest
said:
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... he is the best bowler in india , and by seeing his records he should get one more chanc e ###good all rounder### |
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