During the break in hostilities between India and Australia, Ajit Agarkar went back to his roots and turned out for Tata Sports Club in the Times Shield cricket tournament. The Mumbai medium-pacer believes in being prepared when opportunity arises. Irfan Pathan's side strain has presented him the ideal chance of returning to action in the ongoing series.
Since the ICC Champions Trophy in England, India's pacemen are in forced rotation because of injuries, as a result of which none of them has been able to cement their places in the side. Agarkar is one of them, still looking forward to play his first Test since the tour of Pakistan in April.
Senior Correspondent Ashish Magotra caught up with the wiry Mumbai medium pacer to find out about his inconsistencies, strengths and weaknesses.
What does the word 'competition' mean to you?
That's what probably pushes you to perform at the highest level possible. It's all about winning at the end of the day. Of course, there are people who say that winning and losing doesn't matter, but I think you play to win; that's what your aim should be.
Personally, the satisfaction is more when you perform against a good team or player. Sometimes there is a bit of gamesmanship that goes on, but you have to rise above it all. Whether you are playing for your club or country, you want to be competitive and you want to be known as a competitor.
People have described you as an enigma; a player who on one day can destroy the opposition, but inexplicably looks out of rhythm the next day. What is your answer to such criticism?
It is their opinion, really. There are going to be days when it just doesn't work. And there will be days when everything seems to be perfect. Even the great players go through these phases. As long as I can come up with the goods, more often then not, I am happy.
Obviously, there will be people who say that I lack that consistency. On the other hand, there will be people who say that I am consistent enough. Every time I am out on the field I give my 100 per cent, whether it is for my club, Tata's, or the country. You start playing cricket because you love it and not because of any other reason; that's always been the case so far.
Your spell of 6 for 41 in Australia helped India win the Test in Adelaide. Would you consider that your best spell ever?
Yes, it has to be. That's the only five-for I have in Test cricket and to win the match. That probably keeps it in the mind. If we had lost the match then probably it would not have been my best spell. I got a few wickets in Melbourne and that was one of the days when everything seemed to be going right for me. You don't do anything different, but it is just that sometimes things work for you. The way nicks were going to hand; we had some plans for some batters and they worked.
You were fastest to fifty wickets in One-Day Internationals, but after that things have not really gone your way. Are you disappointed with the progress you have made?
I wouldn't say disappointed. Everyone wants to perform at a higher level than they currently are. But it doesn't always happen that way. If you are satisfied then you are in trouble.
Fast bowling in India is not easy. There were a few injuries along the way; there were a few losses of form and some other bowler came and capitalized. When I came into the team, I did the same. I think it's a circle and I am fairly happy with the way I have gone about things.
I probably would have liked to pick up some more Test wickets for sure. But that's the way it goes. Unfortunately, someone else was picked at that time or I wasn't in good form, or in the initial years we were playing three spinners and [Javagal] Srinath was the lone seamer in the side.
Now, probably, that doesn't give you the best picture, but I'll be 27 in a month's time and, hopefully, I have a fairly long way to go.
What do you feels are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
For sure, my strength is that I always try hard and never give up till the last ball is bowled.
Weaknesses, I don't know. Probably, people find a lot of them; so, maybe, you should ask them. Personally, though, I would like to be more consistent; try to minimize the bad days and get up every morning and put the ball in the right areas and feel the same as you did on a good day.
Injuries and you have been synonymous. Stress factures, muscles pulls, hamstring strains, you name it and you seem to have suffered them at some time or the other
Who hasn't? Unfortunately, I am synonymous with them.
How big a part have these injuries played in you not becoming a permanent feature of the Indian team?
There is nothing like match practice. I probably found that out while playing for Middlesex recently. It was a tough grind but when I came back to Holland [for the tri-series against Australia and Pakistan], the confidence of putting the ball where you want was different.
Injuries -- and I am not saying that there won't be any injuries -- are going to be a part of life. Everyone has injuries, whether it is a 19-year-old or a 30-year-old, but, unfortunately, when my name comes up, it is supposed to be synonymous. Everyone gets just as many injuries as I do. I really can't help it and the best you can do is work hard off the field. That's what I try and do.
Is there a motto that you live by?
I give my 100 per cent every time I step on to the field. One of the things I learnt during the World Cup was to try and do what is in your hands. I try to prepare myself very well because when opportunity comes you must be ready for it. Worrying about getting selected or not getting selected is just wasting your time.
I take each day as it comes; it's not going to change.
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