I always look at Virat Kohli for fitness and aggression: Malaysia captain Virandeep Singh [Exclusive Interview]

Virandeep Singh, the captain of the Malaysian cricket team, made his captaincy debut at the age of 20 years and 190 days to become the youngest to captain a side at that time. Virandeep has scored over 2000 runs in T20Is, becoming the sixth fastest player to reach this milestone. He stands out as the second batter from associate nations to hit 100 sixes in T20Is.

His exceptional performances have earned him the Player of the Match award 14 times, just one behind Virat Kohli. Not only is he the only Malaysian with over 2000 runs, but he is also the leading run-scorer and the leading wicket-taker for his country.

In our interview, Virandeep opened up about a range of topics. He talked in detail about the captaincy lessons that he received from the former Malaysian captain Ahmad Faiz. He also mentioned how working with a psychologist helped him focus better and hit more sixes. He also shared insights from his time with former coach Bilal Asad. Further, he emphasised the importance of strike rate in T20s and plans to bat lower in the lineup to improve his strike rate. The conversation ended with how social media affects a cricketer's life.

Excerpts:

Tell us about your cricketing journey.

It all started when I was a kid looking to have fun and enjoy the game. My dad used to play cricket in school, so when I got the chance to join cricket at my school, I jumped at it. Back then, not many schools in Malaysia played cricket, but things have changed a lot since then. I've put in a lot of hard work and passion for the game, and I can see that it's starting to pay off, even if it's just a little. But I know there's still a long road ahead of me in my cricketing journey.

You are the youngest captain to lead Malaysia in a T20I game. How has been the experience so far?

Back when I became the youngest captain, I wasn't even aware of that fact. It happened after a tough tournament where we didn't perform well, and the selectors decided to make a change by giving me a chance to lead and resting some of the senior players. Age aside, leading the country is always an honor. Being a full-time captain now comes with its responsibilities, but I see it as an opportunity to unite the team and work towards our common goal of moving up in the cricket world. Our strength lies in our unity, and sticking together is key to our success.

How was your experience playing under Ahmad Faiz? What leadership lessons did you learn from him?

Faiz and I have quite different leadership styles. He's known for being very calm and collected, preferring to lead by setting a strong example rather than being vocal. When he first became captain in 2013, he focused on his performance and made a lot of runs. Our former coach, Bilal, often shares stories about Faiz's approach. Despite our different approaches, our main goal has always been the same: to elevate Malaysian cricket. Since I became captain, Faiz has been incredibly supportive. 

What was your experience working with former head coach Bilal Asad?

Under his guidance, we saw a rise in our rankings, which was quite remarkable considering our challenges as a non-traditional cricketing nation. The bond we shared with him was more than just a coach-player relationship; it was like having a mentor or a brother figure. He had a way of delivering feedback that motivated us to improve, even when things weren't going well. His understanding of the technical aspects of the game was immense, yet he remained humble, always emphasising that there was so much more to learn. His coaching style resonated with us because he understood our journey and helped us navigate the challenges. It was disheartening when his contract wasn't renewed, but we still maintain contact with him. .

You scored more than 2000 runs in domestic competitions in 2022 and 2023, the first time you breached the 1,000-run mark. What has been the reason behind this surge? 

Massive credit goes to Bilal. My cricket career really transformed because of him. If you look at my 2019 stats, especially in T20 cricket, you'll see I struggled a bit as I was just getting into T20 cricket. But from 2020 to 2023, things changed significantly thanks to the time Bilal spent with me.

I trained really hard during this period. We always had a training schedule planned at the start of the month. Although it sometimes changed, I noticed rest days on the schedule, usually marked in yellow. For me, these rest days were opportunities to train. When nobody else was training, I got full attention and could practice as much as I wanted. During team training sessions, I had to share time with others, which meant limited batting practice. I love batting and wanted to practice more, so I didn't really enjoy team trainings as much.

On rest days, I'd call Bilal and ask him to train with me. We even had arguments when the ground wasn't available because I was so eager to practice and improve my game, especially my power hitting. Bilal guided me with important tips and techniques, which helped me immensely. All this hard work and guidance from Bilal paid off. I didn't realise how many runs I had scored in domestic cricket until recently. It's all the result of proper hard work and Bilal's excellent guidance. 

Tell us about the story of hitting 100 sixes in T20Is.

I've never played cricket for results, status, or holding records. However, this is one record I'm very proud of. This accomplishment is special because it represents a significant transformation in my game. We had a team psychologist, Madhuli Kulkarni. She lives right behind my apartment. We spent a lot of time talking about my struggles. I used to go to her feeling frustrated, thinking I couldn't hit sixes. I practiced hard, but it felt like maybe I wasn't cut out for it. Madhuli helped me work on my mindset. 

Meanwhile, Bilal was instrumental in my technical development. I trained extensively, especially on power hitting. On rest days, when no one else was training, I'd call Bilal and we'd argue about getting access to the ground. I wanted to use every opportunity to practice and improve. The hard work paid off. It wasn't easy—sometimes, we didn't even have people to collect the balls, so I'd hit and then go collect them myself. But all that effort led to me hitting those sixes. Now, I love clearing the boundary. I even go to the gym to build strength for hitting sixes, besides wanting to look good and improve my overall fitness.

Achieving this record proved that hard work pays off. It's not just about the technical skills but also about the mental strength. Madhuli's guidance on mindset and Bilal's technical coaching were crucial. I think back to how much I struggled three years ago and realize how far I've come. It's a reminder that there are no shortcuts in life—it's all about the process, just like MS Dhoni always talks about. Now that I've hit 100 sixes, my next goal is 200.

Who are your cricketing role models and how have they inspired you?

I have a mix of role models that inspire different aspects of my game. When it comes to fitness and aggression, I always look up to Virat Kohli. However, for power hitting, I've worked closely with Bilal over the years. Initially, I felt more suited to longer formats, but I dedicated a lot of effort to improve my T20 cricket.

This shift in focus led me to admire players like Tim David, especially after witnessing one of his explosive innings against us when he played for Singapore. During that innings, I was keeping wickets and had a close view of his exceptional power hitting. Despite feeling sorry for my bowlers, I was fascinated by David's approach and started studying his techniques through videos and articles. I became a big fan and tried to understand how he approaches power-hitting, especially given his tall stature. I even reached out to him once on Facebook to inquire about his bat preferences, which led to a brief but insightful conversation.

While I haven't had the chance to have a detailed discussion with Tim David yet, I hope to do so in the future. I'm particularly interested in learning about the mental aspects of power hitting, as I believe it's not just about technique but also about mindset and strategy.

Which one is your favorite innings so far?

I consider my innings against Bangladesh in the Asian Games last year as one of my best performances. We were in the quarter-finals and our team was struggling at 10 for 3 when I went in to bat. The match was intense, and I recall needing just a few runs in the last over to win. Unfortunately, we couldn't achieve the target. However, the experience of playing against Bangladesh's bowlers, with the Malaysian crowd cheering us on, was incredible. The pitch was challenging, behaving like a worn-out wicket, spinning significantly and very slow. Despite the tough conditions, that innings stands out to me as my best and most memorable, considering the importance of the match and the circumstances we faced.

What was the dressing room environment after that game?

It was quite an emotional experience. Losing games always hits hard, but this was on another level given the position we were in. Usually, when you're that close to winning, you expect to seal the deal, but things didn't go our way—I didn't manage to pull through at the crucial moment. We were all overwhelmed with emotions and deeply saddened by the outcome.

After the match, our coach expressed pride in our efforts and the way we played, encouraging us not to lose heart. Even now, when I look back and watch the highlights video I posted on Instagram, it stirs up those emotions all over again. I can't help but think, "What if I had scored those extra two runs? How would things have turned out?" Perhaps Malaysian cricket would have seen a different trajectory. It's a tough pill to swallow, but dwelling on it won't change anything. We have to take it as a lesson, learn from it, and keep moving forward. Overall, despite the disappointment, it was a valuable experience.

What is the current state of cricket in Malaysia? 

Ever since Bilal left, it has been a transition phase for us. But it's a challenge that we have to face together, always aiming to improve because, at the end of the day, it's all about playing for Malaysia and lifting the country up. 

In terms of support, things have improved significantly. I remember the 2017 SEA (South East Asian) Games, which really changed the scene of cricket in Malaysia. Before that, there wasn't much interest or audience for cricket. But when cricket was included in the SEA Games, it became a big hit. That was the first time I played in front of such a large crowd in Malaysia. The stands were packed during the finals against Singapore, and the support was overwhelming. We won one gold and one silver medal, and after that, cricket started gaining more attention.

Our CEO, Dinesh Muthuraman, has played a significant role in this transformation. He introduced live streaming for our games, which has been a game-changer. While it does bring some criticism and pressure from viewers, it also provides great exposure and allows people worldwide to watch Malaysian cricket.

In 2019, the Malaysian government considered closing the Kinrara Oval. What impact did it have on the players?

It had a huge impact on us. Most of our players are from the Klang Valley area, which is close to the city center. The ground was located in Puchong, making it very accessible to everyone due to the nearby train station and other facilities. It was a world-class stadium with stands, and we had everything there, including a mini gym. We were even planning to build our own indoor facilities.

The ground was well-known and had hosted international series, like the DLF Cup in 2006 or 2007, where India, West Indies, and Australia played, and Sachin Tendulkar scored a century. It was a beautiful venue, and many teams wanted to play there, making it a popular spot for hosting tournaments.

Now we train in Klang, which is much farther away. It takes us almost an hour to travel there, and with traffic, it can take even longer. The travel time and costs, including petrol and tolls, add up significantly for the players. Unlike other sports like football, where players get paid well, many of us play cricket out of passion, so these additional costs are a burden.

What are your short-term and long-term goals as a captain?

We must be realistic about our goals. It's easy to say we want to rank in the top 15 or 16 globally, but having been part of the system for a long time, I understand the challenges and limitations. Playing the game and being on the field teaches you the difficulty of competing against top teams, especially those with a stronger cricketing culture. Many associate teams have players from cricket-rich nations like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. They bring experience from playing first-class cricket, which can make a difference in how they handle pressure and crucial situations. My focus is on instilling a belief in our team's process. Changing our approach to the game and embracing new styles takes time, but it's a journey worth pursuing. It's not just about rankings; it's about constant improvement and staying true to our style of play.

What are your personal aspirations? 

My ultimate goal is to turn cricket into a career and earn a good income from it. When I retire, I want to look back and feel proud of what I've achieved in cricket. The pathway to this goal involves playing in leagues, but that part isn't entirely in my control. What I can control is playing good cricket, continuously improving my skills, and scoring runs whenever I get the chance. 

However, the challenge lies in the fact that when you're ranked around 24th in the world like we are now, team owners and selectors may overlook you for players from higher-ranked teams. It's frustrating because it's not about your individual performance but more about the perception of your team's ranking. That's why I've decided to shift my focus from just accumulating runs to improving my strike rate. I believe that impacting the game with quick, impactful innings, even if they're not high-scoring, is what's valued in modern cricket. This shift in mindset not only benefits me personally but also adds value to my team.

How many tattoos do you have right now, and which one is your favorite?

I have seven tattoos, and I got most of them done in Nepal because they're quite affordable there. One of my favorite tattoos is the eye on my right bicep. It holds a lot of meaning for me. I see it as a tribute to the people I've lost in my life. One of them was my manager back when I played for Kuala Lumpur. He was a huge support for my cricketing journey. I've also lost both my grandparents, one of whom lived with me for many years. The other passed away while I was in Nepal for a cricket tournament. It was sudden and unexpected, which made it even more difficult. The eye tattoo symbolizes their presence guiding me even though they are no longer physically here. It's a reminder of their impact on my life and how they continue to inspire me. Getting tattoos is a way for me to honor their memory and carry their spirit with me.

How was your experience of witnessing India vs Pakistan at the MCG in T20 World Cup?

Unforgettable. It ranks as the best match I've ever watched, without a doubt. I was seated next to a Pakistani fan who had actually gotten me the tickets. At first, he was all cool about it, saying it's just a good game of cricket. But as Pakistan started gaining the upper hand, his excitement grew. And when India turned the tables, my energy skyrocketed. It was such a rollercoaster of emotions. Virat Kohli's finish was legendary. I was there with my brother and a teammate, and we were just soaking in the electric atmosphere.