INTERVIEW
Follow UsThere is something about Tushar Deshpande that leaves an imprint in your mind.
When on the field, he is aggressive to a fault. Always pumped up and celebrates the wickets like no tomorrow. But as soon as he comes out of the arena, you see a calm and composed, soft-spoken individual, ready to lay bare the dream he has ever had in the gentliest way possible. Never compromising on the very essence that propelled him to take the ardous journey from Kalyan to Dadar every single day, Tushar Deshpande has emerged as the flagbearer of the next-gen Bombay superstars.
“You can’t be a Mumbai Cricketer and not work hard,” pat comes the reply when quizzed about the tough life he had to endure as a kid.
“While (Pravin) Amre Sir used to work with Mumbai senior team as the coach, (Padmakar) Shivalkar Sir and Sandesh Kawle Sir mostly took care of us. There was serious competition and in order to come out of that system and make it big, we couldn’t breathe easy. That is where the inspiration came from. When we used to see the likes of Dhawal (Kulkarni) or Ajit Agarkar at the top of their game, you just know the process - Go and give your best,” Deshpande told Cricket.com in an exclusive interview.
Deshpande, who has now been picked by Chennai Super Kings for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, is ready to deliver big-time and take a step further in his ambition to play for the national side.
“Everyone in my family was very very happy. Few friends were there at my home when CSK bid for me and they were jumping on the bed. Being picked by the CSK is the greatest thing I would say. I was with them in Dubai last year (as a reserve) and they have seen me bowling in the nets with full intensity. The kind of culture they have, made me want to play for them even more. When they raised the paddle. I was so ecstatic internally.
“It is a franchise with a lasting legacy. Then there is MS Dhoni. Nothing needs to be said about the man. He is such an inspirational skipper. To be around him and someone like Ravindra Jadeja, who is in the Indian cricket ecosystem for a long time and has been a match-winner will be an education. I will try to learn as much and try to win matches for the side as well.”
On the back of his stunning performances in 2018 and 2019 in domestic cricket, Deshpande was picked by Delhi Capitals and even picked up three wickets in five games. The change in venue didn’t really help but he has built up a portfolio of performances in domestic cricket since then to secure a place in the CSK line-up.
“Surely there is a difference between the domestic level and IPL level. I need to level up for that,” Deshpande said. “I will stick to my strengths - bowling fast and accurately. I will keep that in mind and also keep the team plans in mind, I will try to execute those plans as well. One of the most important things for a player is to win the trust of the franchise that this player is going to win us matches. I will do everything to win that trust.
“Playing for Delhi Capitals in the 2020 edition was a great learning curve for me. Bowling alongside the likes of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada was a dream come true. They are really good at their execution and always calm under pressure. Very very small things but when you see those players going about their things, it becomes really impactful.”
Chennai Super Kings have the likes of Adam Milne and Chris Jordan in their line-up apart from Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo, and Dwaine Pretorius. It would take a majestic effort from Deshpande to don the Yellow jersey in the ground but for now, he can soak in all the love from his friends and family.
