Ranji Trophy | I want that trophy in my hand: Faiz Fazal

Vidarbha captain and opening batsman Faiz Fazal spent sleepless night on Wednesday when his team was still three wickets away from its first-ever Ranji Trophy final. When his speedster Rajneesh Gurbani took the last wicket when Karnataka were just a hit away from win, Fazal’s joy knew no bounds. Here, he tells G Krishnan how special the feeling of entering the Ranji Trophy final is. Excerpts:

How happy are you and your team now?

We are really happy, winning this high-pressure game (by five runs), we all are really happy. But there is still a big hurdle to cross – the final. The ultimate goal is yet to be achieved. We are happy now, we are enjoying the time. We are definitely not satisfied. We are really happy that we won this game. At the back of our minds, there is till that one thing to be achieved. We are not celebrating yet. We are saving those moments for the final. I personally want that trophy in my hand. From tomorrow (Friday), we will be back to normal and be focussed on next game.

What does it mean to you and the team?

Ranji Trophy is the ultimate thing, and god willing, if we win the trophy, I don’t know how to explain. We have been working really hard for this. We have been doing really well as a team. I know it is a simple sentence and everyone repeats this – It has been a team effort. Not only the 15-16 players have contributed, but also the support staff, the trainers, the analyst. We are not relying on one single player. Everyone is fulfilling his role. That is the plus point of this team going into the final. Whoever holds the nerve, I think, will have brighter success in the final.

What difference has coach Chandrakant Pandit done to the team, having taken you to the final in his first attempt with Vidarbha?

He has got a few plus points. Though, we do the same routine, follow the same things every day, ticking all the boxes, doing the basics right and playing positive cricket. That’s what we have been trying to do. We are keeping it very simple. Pandit sir was telling everyone to just fulfil his role, be clear in the mind as to how to approach the game. He wanted us to have the winning habit. Even in the quarterfinals, we could have batted on and on in the second innings but we declared and went for the win. We wanted that winning habit so that when we came into the semifinals, the opponent also knows that we have the winning habit.

How tense was it going into the final day on Thursday?

It was terrible. I was sleepless the whole night, getting anxious by the minute, eagerly looking at when 8.45am on Thursday would tick for the first ball to be bowled. I am sure a few others must also have felt that way. Such was the anxiety level, and it was a positive thing, that we wanted to go out there and win. We were not backing away.

Rajneesh Gurbani has been a revelation, picking up bagful of wickets in the last three matches. How crucial is he to Vidarbha winning Ranji Trophy?

He has been doing really well. He is keeping it very simple, not making any complications with his bowling. He is bowling in the corridor of uncertainty. His role is clearly specified, and that is rewarding him. He is performing for the team, his 12 wickets in the semifinal being a testimony to his efforts.

How much of a boost was in having Wasim Jaffer and Ganesh Satish, both Ranji Trophy winners for their original states?

Having them in the side has been very helpful. It is great to share their experiences. Ganesh has played in two Ranji Trophy finals, Wasim has played in so many title clashes for Mumbai. They know what it means to play in the final. That’s great help. Ganesh has been terrific with the bat this season. Though Wasim has not score that big, his crucial 30s and 40s here, the small partnerships he puts together, have been vital and helps the lower-order batsmen.

How pleased are you with your own form this season?

By God’s grace, everything is going well. Unfortunately, I did not perform in the semifinal. But, with five centuries including a double hundred, I am pleased with my effort. I set out to score two double centuries at the start of the season. One has gone by. Hopefully, the second will come in the final against Delhi.

What are your thoughts on your final opponent, Delhi?

They are a great side, they have been playing well the whole season playing well. It will definitely be a tough game but we are prepared for it.