Gurkeerat Singh Mann ©IANS
When India lost their first One-Day International (ODI) match against South Africa, Indian skipper MS Dhoni was asked about giving an opportunity to Gurkeerat Singh Mann as his first match. Dhoni felt Mann had to wait until the opportunity comes in. Now with Suresh Raina being opted out from the ODI match against Australia, Mann looks to contribute with bat and ball in the Australia tour. Mann, who is an off-break bowler as well, is looking to forward to create impact as an all-rounder for the team. The Punjab player got noticed in the 2013 Challenger Trophy where he scored 87 against Delhi. ALSO READ: Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Gurkeerat Singh released from Indian Test team against South Africa
He has turned to be an emerging player after his impressive performances in the A team matches against South Africa, Australia and Bangladesh this year. He again proved his performance in the tri-series final against Australia A where he scored 87 and picked up two wickets leading the team to victory. At the game against Bangladesh, he bowled his full quota of overs in every game. Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman spoke to Hindustan Times on Wednesday, “Over the last six months he has been with India and has done well for Punjab. He got a Ranji double hundred and has done reasonably well in the Vijay Hazare. I was impressed after (coach) Rahul Dravid praised him as he won India ‘A’ the final form a tough situation.”
Mann understands that it will be a challenging role for him to play amongst the top eleven and the Australian conditions. Mann said, “In Chandigarh, and now in Bengaluru, I am practicing for the bounce. Pitches are expected to be bouncy and my focus is to perfect horizontal bat shots. I am practicing against plastic balls to get used to rising deliveries. One thing that will be to my advantage is the bounce. I like the ball coming on to the bat. I have to be mentally strong and I am ready.” ALSO READ: MS Dhoni is my batting idol, says Gurkeerat Singh
When asked about his relation with Yuvraj Singh, Mann said, “He has shared everything he knows with me since the time I got into the Punjab team. We share a very crucial partnership because if one of us gets out, the tail starts. He would keep feeding me with important information and advice on how to cut down the risk factor, calculate it based on how many overs each bowler has left, and plan the innings in such a way that you can take it to a position from where you will get the team home.” ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin stays on top of all-rounder list in ICC rankings
He also learnt some skills from his team mate Ravichandran Ashwin, Mann added, “We discussed a few points about my bowling speed and the variation I need to bring in. I have been practising that in the nets – I haven’t played many matches after that, but now I will look to implement those things in the Vijay Hazare knockouts. Ashwin has a wealth of knowledge and hopefully, when I settle down more as a bowler and we get some more time together, I would love to learn certain tricks from him.”
India team coach has told Mann to polish his skills. Mann added, “I was told my initial movement was slow. So I am trying to get into position earlier. I am also working on the speed of my deliveries.”