IPL will be beneficial to my growth as a cricketer: Rasool

New Delhi, Apr 10:
After becoming the first Jammu and Kashmir player to be selected in an IPL team in 2013, Parvez Rasool is now ready for his second stint in the T20 league and reckons that the presence of star players in his team will help him grow as a cricketer.
The off-spinning all-rounder, who has been bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 95 lakh, firmly believes that the T20 event is a big stage to make your presence felt in the national and international market.
The 25-year-old will be rubbing shoulders with national and international stars in the Sunrisers squad that is led by Shikhar Dhawan. The Jammu and Kashmir skipper feels great to be a part of the same dressing room that will have players like Dale Steyn, Darren Sammy and Ishant Sharma.
“The presence of international and national stars in the Sunrisers squad will certainly be beneficial to my growth as a cricketer. I will try my best to spend time with them, on and off the field”.
Rasool though got just two IPL games in the last season with Pune Warriors and his outing with the Virat Kohli-led Team India to Zimbabwe was also restricted to the dug-out but he takes all this in his stride.
“You have to take the rough with the smooth. I personally have taken a lot of positives from all this. I am lucky to have got an IPL break and a chance to travel with the Indian team. How many players get such opportunities?,” said a hopeful Rasool.
On the point of Jammu and Kashmir players getting a raw
deal, Rasool argues that performance can wipe away any negativity and believes that it’s far more sunny for J&K players now.
Rasool did get a few tips from off-spinning great Harbhajan Singh during the Irani Trophy game in February. Rasool was in the Rest of India reserves with Harbhajan as skipper and the J&K player enjoyed the lessons from ‘the Turbanator’.
“It’s my fortune to get advice from a player of the stature of Harbhajan Singh. I am constantly in touch with him. His advice is invaluable and has certainly helped my game. I certainly practice what I am taught to master the art,” he said.
Rasool though was critical of the fans’ behaviour towards Yuvraj Singh after the T20 final. Rasool harbours lot of respect for Yuvi, who was instrumental in winning two World Cups for India, and feels cricket lovers should not turn fanatics towards their heroes.
“Anybody can be at the receiving end of the madness of cricket in this country but fans should realise that a player gives his blood and sweat to the country and is human if he errs. I have great respect for Yuvi paaji and feel that he deserves respect and nothing else,” concluded Rasool. (PTI)