Veteran leg-spinner Pravin Tambe, whose superb effort of four for 15 was instrumental in Rajasthan Royals’ 30-run win over Highveld Lions, said he used variations and concentrated on bowling wicket to wicket.
“It is always pleasing when your team wins. I am happy we did so. Though it is a kind of wicket which suits the pacers, I knew the variations and stump to stump bowling would get wickets,” said the 41-year-old spinner.
“I used variations in pace while keeping that line and got the wickets. Variations are very important in this type of cricket,” he added.
Asked whether he hoped to play for Mumbai at the age of 41, Tambe said, “I don’t think about my age but only about my game. Even Rajasthan Royals have picked me because of my game and did not look at my age. My job is to perform and I don’t think about other things.”
Tambe, who was just another club cricketer plying his trade in Mumbai Maidans before last edition of IPL, ran through the Lions’ middle-order with his fast leg-breaks and the bowler felt all the four wickets were important.
“I feel all of them were equally important. I like pitches where the ball skids as it helps me bowl my flippers. If there is turn on offer then I am fine with it as that will also help bowl leg-breaks. I know my role in this team and I know where to bowl,” he said.
Asked if he knew that he would be included in the playing XI, Tambe said everyone needed to ready all the time to take the field.
“I knew our squad is small now and everybody has to be ready all the time. I, too, was ready and knew I may get a chance,” he concluded.