By: Tarish Bhatt
Leg-spinner Karn Sharma is one of the few players, who have made good strides into the national team. Karn has represented India in all three formats, namely Tests, ODIs and T20I, while also making marks in the Indian Premier League for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The Meerut-born impressed everyone in his T20 debut in England, while also displayed a gritty performance against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. In limited opportunities so far, Karn has impressed everyone and was rightly rewarded a place in the Test squad for Bangladesh tour.
In an exclusive interview with Drcricket7.com, Karn told about his Test debut against Australia, sharing dressing room with the likes of David Warner, and the Bangladesh tour.
Q) Enjoying your time off the field?
Karn Sharma: Yes, it is good having a rest after a long season, but simultaneously the practice is also going on, seeing the upcoming tours.
Q) It was decent season for the Sunrisers. They were in the playoff till the last game. Personally, how the season panned out for you?
KS: Personally, it was a decent season, but I wanted to contribute more to the side. I think I could have added more to the side, but it was a reasonable outing for me to say the least with the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Q) How was the experience of playing with the likes of David Warner, Dale Steyn and others?
KS: We are playing together for past three seasons now and it is always nice to share dressing room with such players. They are players of international stature, with loads of experience, so it is nice to learn from them and it feels good to be with them.
Q) You had Team India mates, KL Rahul, Bhuvi and Ishant to name a few, in the Sunrisers squad, how you guys gel up when not playing for the country?
KS: Yes, it always nice to have them around and we gel up quite well in and out of the field. I generally keep talking to Bhuvi, while Ishant being a senior player and around for quite a long time shares his experience, which is quite handy.
Q) A one-off Test series is coming up, so would it be difficult to adjust after playing T20s for almost two months?
KS: No, I don’t think it would be difficult to switch modes, as we have got plenty of time between the IPL and the Bangladesh series. There is a 20 days gap, which I think is sufficient to change the mindset according to the formats. But, yes, sometimes when the gap is of something like five days it gets difficult to adjust.
Additionally, the T20 matches were played under lights, so there would be small adjustments to be made while playing Test cricket, fitness wise. But, it is a part and parcel of international cricket and pretty normal for professional cricketers. So, small adjustments are required, nothing major.
Q) Your Test debut in Australia. Must have been a special occasion?
KS: It was a dream come true to make Test debut in Australia and that was something I dreamt of since childhood. Representing India in Test cricket was a very big thing for me. I wanted to perform even better on debut, but ups and downs will always be there and it is all about learning and improving. And, I will try to improve my performance in the upcoming matches.
Q) Pitches in Bangladesh would assist spinners, unlike Australia.
KS: Yes, pitches in Bangladesh are expected to help spinners, but I will stick to the basics and concentrate on keeping the mistakes to the minimum. My aim will be to hit the right areas without thinking about the conditions and factors that are beyond my control.
Q) The Bangladesh series would be a learning experience, with the likes of Harbhajan Singh?
KS: Definitely, Harbhajan Singh is a seasoned campaigner with more than hundred Tests under the belt and I will surely learn a lot while playing alongside him. I have met him off the field as well and learnt a lot, so will be a good experience.
Q) Any specific targets in mind for the new season?
KS: No specific target, I will go game by game and try to give my 100 per cent in every game, which I play for Team India.
