Abhishek Raut, a boy from Nashik (Maharashtra) with loads of talent in all the 3 aspects of the game that the nation loves, is here with us to give his insights on his promising and glorious days in Cricket.
We, at Bouncer Avenue, are glad to have you here.
I, Pratik Doshi, on behalf of my team will take you on a tour where you can relish the memories and express your take on our questions relating to your wonderful journey in Cricket.
Q- “Abhishek was sincere, hardworking and fully dedicated. The only apprehension I had was how he would overcome the small-city barrier.” These were the words of your childhood coach ‘Makarand Oke.’ Tell us about your early days in Nashik along with your coach and the way you managed to overcome the small city barrier.
A- Nashik is a beautiful and peaceful city. I was always passionate about Cricket and yet I never thought that I’ll make a future from it. I joined a club named ‘Nasik Cricket Academy’ where I started my cricket journey under the guidance of Makarand Oke Sir, Dinkar Kamble Sir and others.
Playing and enjoying this beautiful sport was my only dream so I never thought about how I would find a way and where exactly to start. Later, my coach Makarand Oke Sir felt that I can make a future out of it so he had a word with my parents. My parents appreciated his thoughts about me but still they were a bit confused as I was good in studies as well. However, I am very lucky to have such a great family with a lovely sister who always backed me to play cricket even when my exams were around. I got complete support from my family and I guess that's the most important thing for each and every one to achieve their goals.
I started thinking about Cricket as a career and I remember Oke sir’s words, “If you play well it doesn't matter where you are from, you’ll surely get the opportunity.” The best example that we have in front of us is Mahendra Singh Dhoni from Ranchi.
Q- You went to Mumbai, Mecca of Indian Cricket and spent nights in dressing rooms and at friend’s houses. What do you remember of those early days in Mumbai?
A- Absolutely some tough days! However, those days are really special to me. There is a quote “No Pain No Gain.”
When I went to Mumbai, I knew that it was going to be really tough to cement my steps in the Mecca of Cricket as I had no place to stay! I am thankful to MIG cricket club in Bandra and to Mr. Pravin Barve Sir, Prashant Shetty Sir, Jagdish Chavan Sir, Amit Dani Sir and Sandesh Paralkar Sir who gave me a chance to play for MIG. However, the biggest problem was the stay and the food. MIG arranged me a bed inside the club dressing room to stay and my parents used to send me money for food.
Later, as I performed well in club games for MIG I got selected for Under-22 Mumbai Squad. However, my problems never settled down as my camp was for just 2 months, and again I had no place to stay! One of my MIG club friends, Amit Dhulap arranged for my stay at his friend’s house in Dharavi. It was tough but I enjoyed it.
Q- You began your domestic Career playing for Maharashtra in 2005, an era which had some prolific players going around in domestic as well as international arena. What are your best memories playing for Maharashtra along with these players?
A- My cricketing journey was very good in Maharashtra and it became better when I started playing Ranji Trophy and shared dressing room with the likes of Hrishkesh Kanitkar, Dheeraj Jadhav, Munaf Patel, Sairaj Bahutule who were the legends of Maharashtra cricket.
However, my best State Cricket memory was when we won the ‘Under-19 All India Cooch Behar Trophy’ for the first time under my captaincy defeating Karnataka in the final. It was indeed very special season for me as I became the highest run getter in that season by scoring 700+ runs in 7 games and also picked up 16 wickets.
The only bad thing about that season was even after scoring so many runs and winning the prestigious tournament under my captaincy, I didn't get the chance to represent my country in U-19. That’s Destiny! Had I represented U-19 India that season, I probably would have been in a different place today! Again, Destiny!
Q- Year 2008, IPL was new and an exciting prospect. It opened a door for many domestic cricketers in India to showcase their talent on a wider scene. Tell us about this tournament and the impact it is having on India’s upcoming young aspirants.
A- Absolutely fantastic, I guess IPL is the biggest T-20 tournament in the world right now and you can see how many players are getting a chance to showcase their talent on such a big stage. Due to the IPL, loads of young kids are even more fascinated to play cricket now.
However, I’ll still suggest young kids to follow longer format as it develops you more as a cricketer and also gives you more knowledge about the game.
Q- Signed by Rajasthan Royals for the inaugural IPL, you witnessed the awe of the tournament even as you didn’t get a chance to feature in the playing XI, what are your thoughts about the first season in 2008?
A- Frankly speaking, I never thought I'll get a chance to play in the IPL so I never even followed the inaugural IPL season. I was more focused to get in the Mumbai Ranji Squad.
Q- Nashik to South Africa! An IPL debut at Cape Town! Tell us about this epic journey.
A- Again it all started for me with a great Under-22 season for Mumbai. Unfortunately, we lost in the final to Punjab. Though, I got highlighted during that tournament for scoring the most amount of runs for Mumbai in Col. C.K.Nayudu trophy where I scaled 532 runs in 5 games.
A day after the final, as we were playing it at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, few of our players were asked to stay for KKR trials but unfortunately we all were rejected except one. However, the beautiful journey never stopped as some more surprises were still left in the box.
I was playing the Invitational tournament ‘D.Y.Patil T-20’ for the host team and we became champions and I was awarded the Best Fielder in the tournament. The very next day after the final, Rajasthan Royals scout asked me to come for trials and those couple of days went really well as the RR management were impressed and shortlisted me for their final trials in Jaipur. Here as well, I showcased my skills well and was picked up by them.
However, they said that the final squad will be picked by the great Shane Warne and then we all were taken to South Africa.
Q- ‘The Great Shane Warne’ you say! Tell us about your first meet with the Aussie Spin Wizard and any words that you remember from him.
A- I guess the best day in my cricketing career is when I met this legend. Can't express my words how I felt. It was so mesmerizing. It went from good, better to best when I impressed him more and more in South Africa and his final words for me were "I want Abhishek Raut in the team." These words made my cricketing career special and successful.
Q- In your 1st IPL game, you scored a blistering and much needed 21* of 13 balls with 2 sixes to close the inning. The match also went into a Super Over. Take us through your take on this debut knock and that game in particular.
A- I did my debut against KKR. I'll give credit to my captain for that 13 ball 21*run burst as the confidence he showed in me that I can deliver on such a huge stage was a great boost.
Those 21* became even more special as the game went to IPL's first ever Super Over and we won it. It was a memorable debut!
Q- Applauded by many, your best IPL knock came against Deccan Chargers in 2009. Yusuf Pathan walked away with the Man of the Match award, but it was your decisive contribution of 23-ball 36* that held the innings together. Do you reckon this was your best knock that you played for the Royals?
A- Absolutely! How can I forget that innings? If I am not mistaken we were chasing 154 and we lost early wickets and suddenly Shane Warne pushed me in when we were 3 down for 40 in 9 overs.
When I went to bat, it was a very special moment for me as Adam Gilchrist was behind the stumps and I was so mesmerized that players whom I watch on TV are actually playing with me, however, I immediately switched on my game mode and started focusing on the job I was sent for. I backed my game and took the game deep which has always been my strength. I knew that if I play till the end I'll surely pull the game.
That burst from Yusuf Pathan helped me too. Later, when the game came to the closing stages I kept my composure and thought that ‘this was the job I was picked for in the team so I have to finish it’ and fortunately I did.
Q- You are an outstanding fielder with a strong throwing arm. Along with Ravindra Jadeja, you were two young fiery Indian guns in the field for RR. Tell us about your fielding preparations and how good was Ravindra Jadeja in the field.
A- I have been playing with Jadeja since my childhood as we came face to face in lots of age group state cricket. We were also there together in Under-17 India camp held in Mumbai so we knew each other very well.
He's been a gun fielder and when Shane Warne saw that Jadeja has now got a partner in the team, he became so happy. I have always enjoyed fielding since my childhood. We used to practice a lot together.
Shane Warne used to place us very well on the field as we both were very good and dynamic at any given position. Also, we both used to field a lot at boundaries as we were very quick and had a good throwing arm.
Q- The two Shane’s from Down Under, Warne and Watson, played a crucial role in RR’s success in the IPL. Tell us about the time you spent knowing these two dynamites from Australia.
A- The best I have met and played with, will always be Shane Warne. I cannot express my feelings about him. Everyone knows his achievements in cricket but as a human being he's a gem of a person. After achieving so much he has always been so down to earth and had such a simple living. He never made that impression of being a legend of this game; instead he always made us feel so comfortable around him.
I have learnt so much from him; his discipline, punctuality, work ethics, commitment, hard work. He was always the first man on the field for practice, even after retirement. I guess it was Australia's bad luck that they didn't give him the chance to captain the Australian Cricket Team.
Shane Watson! There is a lot to say about him. He is such a Gentleman of the sport. Such a humble man, who loves his cricket and one of the strongest cricketer I have ever seen.
Q- You played under Rahul Dravid and shared the dressing room and a stage with the Indian Legend; tell us your thoughts on what makes him so special.
A- Everyone knows how special person Rahul Dravid has been. He is a True Gentleman of cricket, such a simple man, with great cricketing brain and has unbelievable work ethics.
At Puma ‘Red Pulse Cricket Boot’ launch in Jaipur.
(From Right to Left- Abhishek Raut accompanied by Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Dravid, Stuart Binny and Amit Singh)
Q- In your opinion what are the Royals missing so as to win an IPL title again?
A- I guess they (RR) are a great team and they can win it again for sure. They have a very strong overseas core, however, they are lacking with good quality domestic players and don't have a great bench strength as compared to the other teams.
Q- You currently play for Odisha. Your shift from Maharashtra was to make space and give youngsters the chance. Now, you recently played a Ranji match against your previous team in Pune. How do you think are the youngsters from Maharashtra coming up the ranks and who is the player that stand out for you?
A- Maharashtra has always been a good place to play cricket and they have good talents coming through. I feel Ruturaj Gaikwad is a very good player and has a really bright future.
Q- Having given your time and heart for the game you love, what are the short-term and long-term goals that you are targeting for your upcoming future with respect to this sport?
A- My plans are to stay fit and keep pushing myself as long as possible because I don't like to give up. Yes of course your some goals have to be practical and realistic but you never know about your Destiny.
My current aim is to perform well in domestic cricket and stay fit as I play league cricket in England as well. So staying fit is very important.
Later on, I would like to switch to Coaching.
This was great! Having you here obliging politely for our questions and giving your time is our pleasure. We usually wouldn’t have liked to put you in a spot of bother, but this one’s for your fans and our viewers!
Choose One!
- What did you enjoy the most in your club days - Working on Skills or Hitting out at the Nets?
- Hitting out at the nets.
- What awed you the most - Playing under Shane Warne or under Rahul Dravid?
- Shane Warne.
- What pleases you the most - Taking a Blinder of a Catch or Running Out someone with a Direct Hit?
- Taking a blinder of a catch.
- What excites you the most – Red Ball and the longer format or White Ball and the limited overs?
- White Ball and the limited overs.
- What seems easy – Strict Diet or Hard-core Workout?
- Hard-core Workout.
- What’s your Preference - MS Dhoni: The Young Aggression or The Experienced Calm?
- The Experienced Calm.
Rapid Fire!
- Your favourite fielding position?
- Point.
- Authentic Food or Desi Food?
- Authentic Food.
- A sport other than Cricket?
- Football (Die Hard Arsenal Fan)
- Yuvraj Singh’s striking or Rohit Sharma’s lazy elegance?
- Rohit Sharma’s lazy elegance.
- Best thing to do when you switch-off from Cricket?
- Spend time with my family and play football.
