Mumbai Indian's Abhishek Nayar reveals the story behind his success

A cool head, sound preparation and Tendulkar's influence helped Mumbai's Abhishek Nayar in his onslaught on Andrew Flintoff in the IPL opener

A cool head, sound preparation and Tendulkar's influence helped Mumbai's Abhishek Nayar in his onslaught on Andrew Flintoff in the IPL opener

Experts believe this Indian Premier League will separate the men from the boys. Unlike last year in India, there won't be any overnight superheroes as the conditions in South Africa will demand a lot of class to succeed.

Abhishek Nayar stretches during the Mumbai Indians' training session ahead of today's match

Most young batsmen have found the going too tough.

Mumbai Indian's young all-rounder Abhishek Nayar though has been an exception. He put up an exceptionally strong show in his first outing to win rich praise from the critics.

Big hitting
With some of his seasoned teammates struggling to cope with the challenging conditions and hostile bowling of Chennai Super Kings, he took on none other than the highest paid cricketer in the IPL, Andrew Flintoff. Hitting him for three sixes in four balls was some feat.

"It made me really happy that I could contribute when the team needed it and it was all the more satisfying because it helped the team finish on the winning note," Nayar, whose quickfire 35 provided the impetus to the Indians' innings, told MiD DAY.

Recollecting his audacious onslaught on Flintoff, Nayar said: "I did nothing much different. The first couple of his balls hurried me up, but it also helped me adjust to his pace. I just kept my eye on the ball and decided if it is in my range, I will go for it. When it was there in the slot I just went for the shot."u00a0

Nayar attributed his fine start to the preparatory camp his team had in South Africa. "The camp helped a lot. It allowed me to acclimatise to the conditions and the bounce," he said.

Technique and preparation is one thing but taking on one of the most high-profile players requires more than that. "My philosophy is just to keep my eye on the ball, and if it's there to be hit, then go for it. If I am lucky it pays off. I don't take things for granted," said Nayar.u00a0

The high praise his skipper Tendulkar reserved for him after his heroic play came as no surprise.

"His words have given me a lot of confidence. In fact, the key to my success that day was that I was batting with him. It made a lot of difference that there was such a cool head with so much experience at the other end. He told me to stay cool and play my shots. I remembered it very well and it was in my mind for every ball."
Hard task
So, how many sixes do the Indians' fans expect from his blade against Rajasthan Royals today at Kingsmead, Durban.

"Royals are the defending champions and having lost their first game, they will come hard against us. It will be about batting according to the situation. I will try to deliver again and pray we win again."

It was a measure of his achievements that he was sharing the space in the big hoardings put up by Mumbai Indians along with icons like Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya.

"Honestly, I did not see the hoardings. It was a good feeling to stand with such great names. I think I have matured a lot by playing in the IPL, since it is a higher level and you were playing amongst some great players.

It means you add a new dimension to your game. I learnt a lot and became a better reader of the game. I am a more improved cricketer."