Became a Better Player After Zimbabwe Tour, Says Parvez Rasool
All-rounder Parvez Rasool thinks it was his performance for Jammu and Kashmir in the last Ranji Trophy season that helped him clinch a spot in the Indian ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour.
The Bangladesh tour will be his second stint with the Indian team and Parveez Rasool feels he has become a better cricketer in the interim period having led Jammu and Kashmir from the front.
"Obviously, you play cricket because you want to represent India. It was a dream come true when I was selected for the Zimbabwe tour. This time it's more of a relief that I am back where I want to belong," Rasool told PTI over phone from Srinagar on Wednesday after he was named in the 15-member squad for a three-match ODI series in Bangladesh. (Read: Raina to lead Indian ODI team during Bangladesh tour)
He thinks it was his performance for Jammu and Kashmir in the last Ranji Trophy season, where they lost to Punjab in a hard-fought quarter-final, that clinched the issue for him. (Read: Uthappa named in Raina-led Indian ODI squad for Bangladesh tour)
"I firmly believe good performance in Ranji Trophy never goes unnoticed. I had scored close to 600 runs and taken more than 35 wickets. If I am in the Indian team, it is because of my performances for J&K. Some of them were match-winning performances. I was unlucky that my century and five-wicket haul against Punjab went in-vain," said the 'Poster Boy' of J&K. (Read: Gambhir Returns to Team India for England tour)
He also feels that being appointed captain of the state team changed him as a player.
"Being captain means that you have to lead by example. We had to do something special and I had to shoulder more responsibility. That made me a better cricketer," admits Rasool.
He was a bit guarded when asked about his chances of making the playing eleven in Bangladesh.
"That's the decision of the team management. My job is to remain ready for the opportunity."
He said that he is working on a carrom ball to add a new weapon in his armoury.
"My stock ball is off-break but I am also keen on developing a good carrom ball. For that, you need big palms and lot of strength in your fingers. Inshallah, I possess both qualities," Rasool said.