Last season, Mumbai had a roller-coaster ride in the Ranji Trophy. At one point they even faced the prospect of relegation. Captain Suryakumar Yadav resigned after a loss to Tamil Nadu - only their fourth innings defeat in the history of tournament.
Amidst the trouble and reports of infighting, Aditya Tare took over the captaincy of a young side. He led from the front and hit a century in his first match as captain to lead their revival and help them reach semi-final.
This season, they did not get off to a good start as they conceded a first innings lead to Andhra Pradesh. But they bounced back to beat Punjab on Sunday.
Firstpost’s Jigar Mehta caught up with Tare who scored a century against Punjab at Wankhede. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Jigar: Mumbai has struggled since they last won the Ranji Trophy in 2012-13. What do you think has gone wrong?
Tare: 2012-13 was my debut season. After that we played the quarters and then semis. So you can't say that we are struggling. Struggling would be a harsh word to use I feel. The last time we won the championship we had Ajit Agarkar as the captain, Wasim Jaffer, Zaheer Khan, Ramesh Powar, Rohit (Sharma) and Ajinkya (Rahane) all played a few games. So you see there were six-seven international players playing that year and suddenly they have all gone out.
File image of Aditya Tare. SportzpicsFile image of Aditya Tare. Sportzpics
Now Rohit and Ajinkya are always on national duty. Fortunately we have Dhawal Kulkarni with us at the moment. It is like a transition, the youngsters have taken over. Abhishek (Nayar) is the only experienced guy and it's great to have him because he has won four-five Ranji trophies and has got a lot of experience. The others are just making their careers for Mumbai and it's not going to be easy for the younger guys to fill those shoes.
But obviously Mumbai is such that you expect whoever comes in to be there at the top level always. Obviously we are trying our best to achieve that.
Jigar: So how long will it take for these youngsters to adapt?
Tare: I can't give you a time frame. I am not saying that we are not going to win anything for the next three-four years. We always play for the championship. Obviously with experience the team will get better, they will come closer. Last year, I thought in the fag-end of the tournament we started believing in each other and started doing well. We beat two experienced teams in Baroda and Delhi away from home without Wasim Bhai or any experienced player. That's given us confidence and it shows that there is ability in the younger guys. Just that it's a matter of time.
Jigar: Were you expecting to be appointed Mumbai captain last season? What was your initial reaction? Were you ready for the challenge?
Tare: Absolutely (I was ready for the challenge). I love leading a side. I love playing for Mumbai. Whatever role has been assigned for me in the Mumbai dressing room, I am readily going to accept it and perform to the best of my abilities. I had played two whole seasons for Mumbai so I thought I had gained a bit more experience in the season before. When Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) resigned and I was asked to take up the leadership role, I was always going to readily, happily accept it. I didn't expect it or I wasn't waiting for it. It just came my way and I accepted it.
To me it was a moment of massive pride to have been asked to lead the Mumbai team.
Jigar: What did you learn about captaincy last season?
Tare: I think it's a slow process. Captaincy is a thing you get better at with experience. You play many games and learn from them. You lose, you win and you learn, keep learning and keep moving.
Aditya Tare batting for Mumbai Indians. IBN-LiveAditya Tare batting for Mumbai Indians. IBN-Live
We were almost fighting the relegation battle last year. We were in a big hole and from there I think the boys showed a lot of character, they showed the ability to fight back and turn things around. My basic aim is to take this team forward, to make them believe what they are capable of, what this team is capable of, what this team can achieve if we stick together and play to our abilities. That's my biggest challenge, to convince the guys and make them believe that we are extremely talented, we are young and there is no limit to our success but we need to have our heads on our shoulders.
Jigar: What are your goals for this season and what are the major challenges you think you will face as a player and captain?
Tare: The goal is always to win the Ranji trophy. To be honest, be it any tournament, whenever Mumbai plays we want to win them all. Obviously for me, I always believe the captain has to lead by example - take the front row always, try and take as many challenges head on. Bring stability in the team, give the guys the freedom that they need and make them feel happy.
Jigar: Mumbai has a rich history and there are expectations of a title every year. How much pressure does that put on you?
Tare: That's the way we are brought up. We know we have a rich history, we know we have won it 40 times out of 81. A 50 percent win ratio and winning 40 domestic titles is a great achievement really motivates and inspires us and that's what we are set out to do. There's always pressure, be it a club game, a corporate game, first-class game or an international match. But it's up to the individual how he can handle the pressure and overcome it. I think that there should be some amount of pressure on you; it always gets the best out of you.
Jigar: Mumbai's batting crumbled under pressure multiple times last season. There were two 150-plus scores and no double century. Mumbai is known for its khadoos cricket. Do you think that attitude is somewhat missing in the new generation?
Tare: Maybe because that's what the statistics suggest but to be honest even the game has become a bit more aggressive with the arrival of T20s. Our generation has seen a lot of T20s. So this generation is more of a T20 sort of generation. This generation batsmen, they like to attack, they like to play aggressive cricket, they like to play their shots and along with that there comes the risk of getting out as well. But that doesn't mean that my team takes it for granted. We want to score big runs, we want to play with that ‘khadoos’ attitude. But obviously, the cricket has also changed a bit, it has been a bit more aggressive and with that also comes a lot of risks and guys are willing to take those risks.
ALSO SEE
Full Text: Mumbai Ranji skipper Aditya Tare speaks on captaincy, season ahead and Sachin's influence
Full Text: Mumbai Ranji skipper Aditya Tare speaks on captaincy, season ahead and Sachin's influence
Mumbai will bounce back, says Ranji coach Chandrakant Pandit
Mumbai will bounce back, says Ranji coach Chandrakant Pandit
Ranji Trophy: Mumbai face uphill task against Yuvraj-led Punjab at Wankhede
Ranji Trophy: Mumbai face uphill task against Yuvraj-led Punjab at Wankhede
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But we can't get away by saying that we only play aggressive cricket. We sometimes also have to play to the situation and whoever is playing in the middle should take the responsibility of the team on his shoulders. You also have to adapt and change with the game sometimes when the team needs you to. That's what I and the coach will try to inculcate in the boys.
Jigar: Last season it was the pacers who were impressive but none of the spinners stood out. Do you think lack of good spin bowlers is a worry for Mumbai?
Tare: I think, Vishal Dabholkar was among the top-10 wicket-takers in the 2013-14 season , before that Ankeet Chavan was there. Last year Harmeet (Singh), when he played 4 games, picked up around 15 wickets. He was quite impressive in the latter half of the season. So I don't think it's a big worry. Yes, Vishal had his issues but he's sorted them out and has come back stronger and has been a better bowler than before. Although Harmeet didn't get the first game (this season) but I believe in him. He is a wicket-taking bowler; he's got great ability with the ball. So I don't think we are struggling as such.
Jigar: What did Sachin Tendulkar say to the team when you met him before the season?
Tare: He came to meet us last season as well when we lost to Jammu and Kashmir. We are quite fortunate that he is always there to help us. He visited us twice (before the start of this season). Once he had a chat with the bowlers individually on what they need to do, what should be their thinking and mentality. And in the other session, he only met the batsmen individually. He spoke to them whatever he felt that can help an individual's game particularly. It was quite personalised. He spoke to every batsman who was playing there. He guided them in their technique and mental aspects.
Amidst the trouble and reports of infighting, Aditya Tare took over the captaincy of a young side. He led from the front and hit a century in his first match as captain to lead their revival and help them reach semi-final.
This season, they did not get off to a good start as they conceded a first innings lead to Andhra Pradesh. But they bounced back to beat Punjab on Sunday.
Firstpost’s Jigar Mehta caught up with Tare who scored a century against Punjab at Wankhede. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Jigar: Mumbai has struggled since they last won the Ranji Trophy in 2012-13. What do you think has gone wrong?
Tare: 2012-13 was my debut season. After that we played the quarters and then semis. So you can't say that we are struggling. Struggling would be a harsh word to use I feel. The last time we won the championship we had Ajit Agarkar as the captain, Wasim Jaffer, Zaheer Khan, Ramesh Powar, Rohit (Sharma) and Ajinkya (Rahane) all played a few games. So you see there were six-seven international players playing that year and suddenly they have all gone out.
File image of Aditya Tare. SportzpicsFile image of Aditya Tare. Sportzpics
Now Rohit and Ajinkya are always on national duty. Fortunately we have Dhawal Kulkarni with us at the moment. It is like a transition, the youngsters have taken over. Abhishek (Nayar) is the only experienced guy and it's great to have him because he has won four-five Ranji trophies and has got a lot of experience. The others are just making their careers for Mumbai and it's not going to be easy for the younger guys to fill those shoes.
But obviously Mumbai is such that you expect whoever comes in to be there at the top level always. Obviously we are trying our best to achieve that.
Jigar: So how long will it take for these youngsters to adapt?
Tare: I can't give you a time frame. I am not saying that we are not going to win anything for the next three-four years. We always play for the championship. Obviously with experience the team will get better, they will come closer. Last year, I thought in the fag-end of the tournament we started believing in each other and started doing well. We beat two experienced teams in Baroda and Delhi away from home without Wasim Bhai or any experienced player. That's given us confidence and it shows that there is ability in the younger guys. Just that it's a matter of time.
Jigar: Were you expecting to be appointed Mumbai captain last season? What was your initial reaction? Were you ready for the challenge?
Tare: Absolutely (I was ready for the challenge). I love leading a side. I love playing for Mumbai. Whatever role has been assigned for me in the Mumbai dressing room, I am readily going to accept it and perform to the best of my abilities. I had played two whole seasons for Mumbai so I thought I had gained a bit more experience in the season before. When Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) resigned and I was asked to take up the leadership role, I was always going to readily, happily accept it. I didn't expect it or I wasn't waiting for it. It just came my way and I accepted it.
To me it was a moment of massive pride to have been asked to lead the Mumbai team.
Jigar: What did you learn about captaincy last season?
Tare: I think it's a slow process. Captaincy is a thing you get better at with experience. You play many games and learn from them. You lose, you win and you learn, keep learning and keep moving.
Aditya Tare batting for Mumbai Indians. IBN-LiveAditya Tare batting for Mumbai Indians. IBN-Live
We were almost fighting the relegation battle last year. We were in a big hole and from there I think the boys showed a lot of character, they showed the ability to fight back and turn things around. My basic aim is to take this team forward, to make them believe what they are capable of, what this team is capable of, what this team can achieve if we stick together and play to our abilities. That's my biggest challenge, to convince the guys and make them believe that we are extremely talented, we are young and there is no limit to our success but we need to have our heads on our shoulders.
Jigar: What are your goals for this season and what are the major challenges you think you will face as a player and captain?
Tare: The goal is always to win the Ranji trophy. To be honest, be it any tournament, whenever Mumbai plays we want to win them all. Obviously for me, I always believe the captain has to lead by example - take the front row always, try and take as many challenges head on. Bring stability in the team, give the guys the freedom that they need and make them feel happy.
Jigar: Mumbai has a rich history and there are expectations of a title every year. How much pressure does that put on you?
Tare: That's the way we are brought up. We know we have a rich history, we know we have won it 40 times out of 81. A 50 percent win ratio and winning 40 domestic titles is a great achievement really motivates and inspires us and that's what we are set out to do. There's always pressure, be it a club game, a corporate game, first-class game or an international match. But it's up to the individual how he can handle the pressure and overcome it. I think that there should be some amount of pressure on you; it always gets the best out of you.
Jigar: Mumbai's batting crumbled under pressure multiple times last season. There were two 150-plus scores and no double century. Mumbai is known for its khadoos cricket. Do you think that attitude is somewhat missing in the new generation?
Tare: Maybe because that's what the statistics suggest but to be honest even the game has become a bit more aggressive with the arrival of T20s. Our generation has seen a lot of T20s. So this generation is more of a T20 sort of generation. This generation batsmen, they like to attack, they like to play aggressive cricket, they like to play their shots and along with that there comes the risk of getting out as well. But that doesn't mean that my team takes it for granted. We want to score big runs, we want to play with that ‘khadoos’ attitude. But obviously, the cricket has also changed a bit, it has been a bit more aggressive and with that also comes a lot of risks and guys are willing to take those risks.
ALSO SEE
Full Text: Mumbai Ranji skipper Aditya Tare speaks on captaincy, season ahead and Sachin's influence
Full Text: Mumbai Ranji skipper Aditya Tare speaks on captaincy, season ahead and Sachin's influence
Mumbai will bounce back, says Ranji coach Chandrakant Pandit
Mumbai will bounce back, says Ranji coach Chandrakant Pandit
Ranji Trophy: Mumbai face uphill task against Yuvraj-led Punjab at Wankhede
Ranji Trophy: Mumbai face uphill task against Yuvraj-led Punjab at Wankhede
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But we can't get away by saying that we only play aggressive cricket. We sometimes also have to play to the situation and whoever is playing in the middle should take the responsibility of the team on his shoulders. You also have to adapt and change with the game sometimes when the team needs you to. That's what I and the coach will try to inculcate in the boys.
Jigar: Last season it was the pacers who were impressive but none of the spinners stood out. Do you think lack of good spin bowlers is a worry for Mumbai?
Tare: I think, Vishal Dabholkar was among the top-10 wicket-takers in the 2013-14 season , before that Ankeet Chavan was there. Last year Harmeet (Singh), when he played 4 games, picked up around 15 wickets. He was quite impressive in the latter half of the season. So I don't think it's a big worry. Yes, Vishal had his issues but he's sorted them out and has come back stronger and has been a better bowler than before. Although Harmeet didn't get the first game (this season) but I believe in him. He is a wicket-taking bowler; he's got great ability with the ball. So I don't think we are struggling as such.
Jigar: What did Sachin Tendulkar say to the team when you met him before the season?
Tare: He came to meet us last season as well when we lost to Jammu and Kashmir. We are quite fortunate that he is always there to help us. He visited us twice (before the start of this season). Once he had a chat with the bowlers individually on what they need to do, what should be their thinking and mentality. And in the other session, he only met the batsmen individually. He spoke to them whatever he felt that can help an individual's game particularly. It was quite personalised. He spoke to every batsman who was playing there. He guided them in their technique and mental aspects.
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