If I have a good season, I might get to play for CSK: Shadab Jakati

The name Shadab Jakati is no stranger to our ears. With his slow-left-arm orthodox bowling, the Goa-born spinner helped the Lions roar in three seasons (2009-2012). He has 268 wickets from 90 First-class matches and has a fair amount of experience in T20 format too. He was very much in line to represent India at one point in his career. Now 36, the spinner still hopes to continue the good work.

The cricketer spoke to Sportstar and shared his plans for the future and how he shares stories of his rich experience of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and MS Dhoni among the others. Jakati helped Goa avoid a defeat against Chhattisgarh by putting a price on his wicket. He remained unbeaten on 22 off 64 balls.

When asked if he wants to represent Chennai Super Kings in the coming IPL next year, he said “I hope so, but it depends. They will obviously look at the current crop of players but if I have a good season like last year, why not?”

Rich experience with the men in yellow

Jakati shares his IPL experience with the youngsters in the domestic set up. “I try to share my CSK tales with the young cricketers of Goa. Dhoni made it easy for players, but there is a difference when playing for a side like CSK — with almost 15 match-winners — and Goa (which isn’t known for producing champions),” he said.

“Goa doesn’t have the same standard as CSK. We don’t have enough match experience. We don’t play that much of cricket compared to other states. But when it comes to talent, I think we are at par with others, we are just lacking in experience,” he added.

Jakati feels let down

The spinner feels that he was very close to represent India during the peak of his career but didn’t receive much support from his board.“I do believe I had a good chance to play for India in the 2009-2011 period. But the kind of support a player needs, I didn’t get that from my association. In future, I hope our boys get the same kind of exposure that players from other states get; that culture needs to come into Goa cricket. If any Goa player ends up representing India, it will make a huge difference for the state,” he said.