• Source:JND

ISPL Season 3: One of the most decorated and followed all-rounder, commonly known as “Singh is King," Ankur Singh made his mark among the public with precise bowling in the powerplay and impactful middle-order batting. One of his notable achievements came when he took India to a notable victory against Pakistan in a high-profile 10PL event at Sharjah.

In conversation with The Daily Jagran, he shares his thoughts on the ongoing season.

First question, you have been given the nickname of Singh is King and it is very popular. So, how do you see this nickname, and how did you read it?

Actually, the name Singh is King is given because my surname is Singh, and at that time a movie was released, Singh is King by Akshay Kumar.

So, seeing my approach, my senior players gave me the name Singh is King. And sir, when someone says Singh is King, I feel that my responsibility increases. I stay on the field and if someone motivates me by saying Singh is King, then I try to give my 100% on the ground.

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As you said that you have been playing since 2008, so how do you approach leadership on and off the field?

Actually, when I am off the field, I try to communicate with my teammates, what is in their hearts, what they think about the team. I try to bring them in the comfort zone. I try to get their performance out and talk to them about what is going on in their heart, what is going on in their mind, what their mindset is.

And if someone is negative, then I always try to go with a positive mindset on the ground. And even when I am on the field, if I give my 100%, then I hope that my teammates give their 100% on the field. Whether the performance is there or not is in your hands, but giving your 100% is in your hands.

If someone interferes in that, then sometimes I get a little angry, sometimes I get angry, but I back them up. I tell them on the field that you give your 100% and don't be nervous. Always stay on the ground.

So what strategy do you use to tackle aggressive batters in powerplay?

Actually, sir, my bowling is that I keep cricket very simple. I don't make it complicated. I always try to bowl according to the fielding I have taken.

And if the batsman is good, sometimes what happens is that whatever ball you want to bowl, it doesn't fall there. Or if you have taken a fielder, the batsman has hit a boundary on top of it. So, sir, I plan to always try to bowl according to the fielding I have taken.

And sometimes I bluff the batsman. I bowl the opposite of the fielding I have taken. It's all about mindset.

Because after going to one level, both players become equal in skill. Then the game of mindset comes.

Last year, you won the title with Majhi Mumbai in the ISPL Season 2. What were your key takeaways from that season?

Sir, if we talk about that team, what I took from them was positivity, their mindset, the whole team, the atmosphere. The practice sessions were also very good. And sir, what happens is that if you get used to winning in the 1st or 2nd match, the momentum you get, it remains very useful.

So, I told my teammates and my team staff that we don't have to play according to the league. We have to think that every match is a knockout. And we have to get used to winning.

You have been selected as the captain of Chennai Singams for Season 3. And there are a lot of great players. I mean, the core of the team is very good. So, how do you feel about being appointed as a captain? And how do you see Season 3?

First of all, I would like to thank the franchise of Chennai Singams for appointing me as a captain.

This is a proud moment for me. And this is also a challenging role for me. Why? Because if you are leading the team as a captain, then there are a lot of responsibilities.

Sir, I have taken a lot of responsibilities because I have also been a captain in a lot of tournaments.

So, I think that I should give my 100 percent. And the rest of our team players, the senior players, should understand their responsibilities.

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And sir, we have to do whatever it takes to give our 100 percent and become a champion. Absolutely. You said you want to become a champion.

So, can the fans expect Chennai Singams to win their first title in Season 3?

Yes, obviously, sir. We will do our best on the field. And even our entire supporting staff has come for this.

And every team will want this. But at the end, we will say that whoever plays good cricket, if we play good cricket, we will win the final 100 percent and become a champion this year. Absolutely.


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