Lad of all things!

Siddesh Lad has been the only Mumbai Ranji player who was a part of the Mumbai Indians squad along with skipper Rohit Sharma in the last couple of seasons of the Indian Premier League, but ironically, never managed to play a single game during this period. This man of crisis for the 41-time Ranji Trophy champions — a role he relishes —  is trying hard to keep his spirits up and hoping to improve from this experience. 

“Yes I wanted to play, but I am not frustrated. A victory for the team is always special. Both title wins during my time - 2015 and 2017 — have come around my birthday, so that makes it very special,” said Lad, who turned 25 on Tuesday. Even though he finds it difficult to hide his disappointment for long, he would rather move ahead. “I want to take a long break from cricket before the next season and use the time to revise my goals, though I will continue training,” he said. 

Siddhesh’s father, Dinesh Lad, has mentored Sharma from his school days at Swami Vivekanand International School, Borivali, so it seems hard to believe that his son hasn’t got a single game in three seasons. “This is a question I face everywhere. But you have to understand that Mumbai Indians are a strong side and understandably there is less opportunity. I have no regrets. They have pushed junior players like Hardik and Burmah (previously). If you are able to represent Mumbai Indians, you are close to getting an Indian berth,” he said. 

Even though the Mumbai Indians don’t really believe in chopping and changing the playing XI during the season and back their players even when they are under-performing, Lad feels unlucky at missing out the last league game in which Mumbai made six changes against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. “I was close to getting a break in the playing XI after (Ambati) Rayudu got injured (during the first game). But we started winning and I knew the team wouldn’t change much after that. But I kept waiting for an opportunity and was prepared for it. It is important, when you get that one big chance, you do well for the team,” he added. 

Lad has been playing for Mumbai since 2013 and has excelled in crisis situations due to his ability to bat with the lower order. So was he looking to play  a similar role for Mumbai Indians? “I want to prove myself every time. When the team is struggling, it is an added responsibility, but I thrive on such situations. However, I wasn’t defined any role (in Mumbai Indians) and so I just wanted to play freely if given a chance.”

He now wants to take positives from this IPL and utilise it when he resumes playing cricket. “I was training, played in the nets, learnt a lot, and maintained my fitness level. I remain motivated. I discussed technique with Rohit and Lendl Simmons, who I am close to.  We spent lot of time together. I will carry forward the experience of having learnt a lot from great players (in the franchise). I am sure I will do well in future. It is not too late for me yet,” he said.

When asked whether he learnt from former Mumbai Indians coach Rickey Ponting and the current one Mahela Jayawardene, Lad said, “They stress on mental training only and at this level, I don’t want to alter technique,” he said.