CSK fast bowler Ishwar Pandey hopes to play for the side again

With the IPL 2018 Auction just around the corner, cricketers all over the world must be hoping to make a mark. Not only does the league bring in entertainment but delivers an opportunity for viewers to watch the Indian talents unite with global stars. One such Indian talent is Madhya Pradesh fast-bowler Ishwar Pandey who was an integral part of the side that made the cut into the quarter-finals of this season’s Ranji Trophy with 23 wickets.

He was signed up by the Chennai Super Kings in 2014 and often opened the bowling for the MS Dhoni-led side. Last year, he was a part of the Rising Pune Supergiant but did not bowl for the side. With the comeback of CSK, which may look to go after their old players, Pandey may well be among the prospects they are looking at, in that case.

Interestingly, the 28-year-old himself is hoping to be part of the Chennai-based outfit this year. In an interaction with CricTracker, he said, “I’m very happy to see CSK back. The chance I got was at CSK itself and I would like to play with them again but that depends on where I go in the auction.”

Playing under Dhoni is special

Players thinking of playing for the side they have already represented is natural considering the amount of time they have spent with the team, its management and the philosophy they have gotten used to. Moreover, it is no surprise that players would want to play under the able leadership of Dhoni again if they had the chance.

On being asked how special it is playing under Dhoni, he said, “He supports the players a lot. Often people don’t come to know because he is behind the wickets but he makes adjustments in the field that will help the bowler. He is constantly talking to the bowler and supporting him. Every player wants to play under him.”

“So, it is very good for me that I got to be around him in CSK and RPS because I learnt a lot from him,” Pandey added.

Focus on winning games in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

In 2016, Pandey took a hat-trick in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the match between Madhya Pradesh and Andhra. With this year’s tournament set to begin from January 7, he would be hoping to repeat something special like that because it may come in handy heading into the IPL auction.

“The focus will be to win every match for the team. Auction is still far away. The priority will be to do well for the team and myself,” he stated.

Views on the current pace battery

He thinks the current Indian bowling line-up has done really well and expects the likes of Shami, Ishant, Bhuvneshwar and with Jasprit Bumrah to come good in the South African conditions that assist fast bowlers.

“It’s a very good bowling line-up and our bowlers are bowling well. There was Mohammad Shami, Bhuvneshwar (Kumar), Umesh (Yadav), Ishant (Sharma) and now we also have (Jasprit) Bumrah and Hardik Pandya- they are in good form. The wicket will support fast bowlers so no doubt, we will do well too.”

He bowled some rippers right through the domestic season, here is one of those: