If not CSK, I would like to play for KKR since I’m a big fan of Brendon McCullum: Narayan Jagadeesan [Interview]

Narayan Jagadeesan isn’t an overly popular name in the Indian domestic circuit. However, when it comes to talent, he’s among the top players in the country. His prowess was evident from the fact that he started his career for Tamil Nadu with a knock of an unbeaten 123 back in 2016. Batting at No.7 in his maiden first-class match, the right-hander smashed eight fours and a couple of sixes.

Since then, he has scored 1174 runs from 23 first-class games at an average of 39.13 with four centuries and as many half-centuries. In his List A career, the 25-year-old has notched 1,007 runs with two tons and five fifties. In 2018, his career took a step ahead after the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings, the three-time Indian Premier League champions, picked him up in the auction.

However, he had to warm the bench two seasons in a row due to Dhoni’s presence as the first-choice keeper. It was in 2020 when Jagadeesan made his IPL debut against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Virat Kohli, are the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

In five games, he got a chance to bat two times where he bagged a duck and scored 33 in the other. Meanwhile, Jagadeesan featured in CricTracker’s Question-and-Answer segment ‘Free Hit’. During the chat, he spoke about CSK, Dhoni, and other aspects of the cricket world and his personal life.

Here are the excerpts from Narayan Jagadeesan’s interview:

Describe the moment when CSK signed you

It was a great moment for me. As a youngster, we all work for getting a deal with an IPL team. So, when the hammer went down in the auction, I was really happy and excited.

Who’s the naughtiest CSK teammate?

Lungi Ngidi. I’m close with him also because he pulls off a lot of pranks.

Who’s the laziest cricketer in CSK?

Sam Curran.

Rate the current Fab 4 in world cricket

Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Babar Azam.

What’s the best innings of your career?

I’m going to go with my maiden first-class century on debut against Madhya Pradesh.

Who’s the most boring teammate while travelling?

Sai Kishore.

What’s the piece of advice from MS Dhoni that’s very special to you?

Play with no fear and give it your best.

Who’s your celebrity crush?

Priyanka Chopra.

Who’s your best friend in the cricket world?

It’s hard for me to name one, but I’ll go with Lungi Ngidi.

What’s the one thing you hate doing, but still have to do?

I hate to wake up early, but I have to for certain games.

What’s the one thing you would steal from Virat Kohli?

His bats and mindset.

Who’s the one bowler from the past you would like to face?

Tymal Mills. It was during the RCB trials when I faced him and I had troubles while playing his slower balls.

What’s your best hangout spot in Chennai?

My house.

MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli- Who’s the better captain?

MS Dhoni.

If not CSK, which IPL team would you like to play for?

Growing up, I was a big fan of Brendon McCullum, so I would go with KKR.

Who’s the young cricketer you think everybody should watch out for?

Devdutt Padikkal.

What’s the last thing you do before you go to bed?

Play on my PlayStation.

What’s your comfort food?

Dosas.

What’s the best cricket stadium in the world?

Chepauk.

What’s your favourite format in cricket?

Test cricket.