IPL turning point for me: Swapnil

MARGAO — Swapnil Asnodkar has attained the tag of Goan icon, thanks to his stupendous performance for IPL champions Rajasthan Royals.
The unassuming opener is already soaking in the valuable advice given to him by Royals’ stalwarts Graeme Smith, captain Shane Warne and man-of-the series for IPL, Shane Watson.
“The trio were awesome in their stature but equally humble in their approach,” Swapnil, who is basking in the euphoria of IPL success, said.
“The three led by example being the senior members and international stalwarts, but yet taught me how to be fearless at international level as the rivals keep a close watch on one’s weaknesses they told me,” the Goan star said.
“Do not fear any bowler and go about your business of playing to your strength to become successful,” Swapnil said recalling Smith’s advice before his debut game against Kolkata Knight Riders.
“Therefore, I reiterate that IPL has been the turning point for me and I will continue to learn from the valuable exposure I received from the Indian Premier League,” the 24-year-old right-handed batsman added.
Swapnil reminisced that sharing the same dressing room with the likes of Warne, Smith and Watson was a lifetime experience for him.
“If I have improved in my cricket during my stint with Rajasthan Royals it would be due to the positive influence these great players have had on my approach,” Swapnil added. “I was guided and nurtured well under Warne’s captaincy. He was exceptional and a supreme tactician,” Swapnil said of Warne. “Playing under Warne was a dream achievement,” he added.
Swapnil’s fearless approach was his strength and opening with Smith made him realise his potential. “Smith always kept talking to me and so did Watson. Fear no bowler as long as you are on top I was told,” Swapnil claimed, recalling Smith’s advice.
Asked how did he utilise the period when he was not part of the playing XI, Swapnil said, “We were playing on rotation as the ploy was to give everyone a chance. During the break, I practised hard and tried to improvise in the nets gaining valuable advice from my seniors. IPL needs a lot of innovation and I tried my best to suit the requirements,” Swapnil, the only Goan to play an active part in the IPL, said.
One could even recall former Indian captains Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri, commenting on prime time television, praising Swapnil for his brave and cavalier attitude in batting.
“Asnodkar is inventive and innovative,” Shastri said on TV while Gavaskar also praised the Goan dynamo for his quick ‘bat speed’ and ‘adaptability’ to the Twenty20 version.
Swapnil had already won praise from Sachin Tendulkar during one of the league games against Mumbai Indians, which the opener described as ‘flattering’. Sachin had said Swapnil is impressive although the maestro hasn’t watched the Goan play before.
The Porvorim-Sangolda based lad was also praised for his quick eye, agility between the wickets and ‘great attitude’ which had been the highpoints of Swapnil’s success in the IPL which allowed him to score 311 runs in the tournament.
Skipper Shane Warne also needs to be complimented for leading a bunch of nondescript youngsters from smaller Indian states to big time glory.
Warne, who himself never got the nod from his own board to captain Australia, proved his captaincy mettle in IPL and also backed youngsters like Swapnil, Niraj Patel, Yusuf Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja to do well and showed all the confidence in them to play a big final.
“I am grateful to my captain (Warne) for backing me and supporting me throughout the tournament. That’s the trademark quality of Warne as he backs the youngsters and shows faith in them to do well,” Swapnil said in a candid admission.

Courtesy:navahindtimes.com
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