JOIN USConsistent Samarth powering Karnataka
Bengaluru: With a 235 against Jharkhand, Karnataka opener R Samarth got off to a terrific start in last season's Ranji Trophy. However, following the double hundred, the classy batsman failed to notch up another big score.
The story wasn't any different in the 2015-16 edition for Samarth. Slamming a 131 against Assam in the season opener, he went on to score just one more ton and a half-century. That Samarth was Karnataka's top run-getter last season despite just one 100-plus knock shows the right-hander's quality. But it is his inability to stay long in the middle and convert his starts that bothered Samarth.
In Karnataka's dominant run this year, Samarth seems to have found a way to combat the issue. A 123 against Assam in Mysuru marked a familiar start to the season for the 24-year-old. Samarth, forming a successful opening combination with Mayank Agarwal, has since then registered two more centuries and as many half-centuries.
Putting extra focus after reaching the half-century mark has made the difference, felt Samarth. "I think I have been batting well from the last two-three seasons. It is about converting them into big knocks. This year I have converted and have got three hundreds. Last year it was just that one double hundred but after that I didn't get a big score. This year I have got three hundreds. I have worked little bit on the mindset. I was relaxing during the 50-70 phase of my innings. I am now putting a little more concentration during that time and that has helped me score centuries," he explained.
Karnataka fumbled in the quarterfinal last season despite enjoying a good run in the group stage. They have crossed the last-eight hurdle this time but the players understand that there is still a lot of work to be done, opined Samarth.
"We know that Mumbai were a depleted side but Mumbai is Mumbai. Beating them in four days is a great way to advance to the semifinals. Everyone in our team is matured enough and we have won trophies to know that this is the real business end. We know that this is where the tournament actually begins. Everyone in our team wants to play for India and there is that self motivation for each player. So nobody is playing for the sake of it. They want to prove themselves, score runs, take wickets and play for the country," he offered.
DH News Service