Parvez Rasool: Facing tough times have made us stronger

Jammu&Kashmir celebrate after beating Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium.

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) pulled off a sensational win against Mumbai, beating them by four wickets at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. Led by Shubham Khajuria with the bat and Ram Dayal with the ball, the team pulled off a major upset in their very first ever encounter against the 40-time Ranji Trophy champions.

Success from adverse situations

Off the field, people from the northernmost state of the country have encountered some tough times with floods devastating their normal livelihood. However, J&K captain Parvez Rasool believes that it is these “adversities” that has made the cricketers from the state tough personalities, mentally.

"Our lives were affected during the floods. There were no practise facilities available and these are adverse situations. Let me tell you, we are the only state that will technically play eight away games instead of four home and four away. Tough situations make people tougher. That's exactly is the recipe of our success,” Rasool told PTI.

"The boys knew one thing. We have seen devastation and this is just a cricket match! If we can come through that difficult phase, then why can't we beat Mumbai in Mumbai at the Wankhede."

Rasool credits Bishan Singh Bedi

Former Karnataka spinner Sunil Joshi took over the coaching reigns from Bishan Singh Bedi earlier this year and has tasted instant success. But Rasool hasn’t forgotten the contribution made by Bedi, saying that the 68-year-old gave confidence to the players that if they give their best, they can beat anyone.

"Woh kahte the ki tumhare pass balla hain unke paas gend hain. Agaar jaan lagake ke kheloge toh koi bhi team badi nahi hai chahe woh Mumbai ho yaa Delhi (You guys have a bat and opposition has a ball. If you put in your 100 percent, there are no big teams whether it's Mumbai or Delhi)," Rasool said.

He also said that he felt elated when the chairman of the Indian selection committee Sandeep Patil called him to congratulate the team.

"Sandeep sir called up and congratulated the whole team for our victory. He is himself a Mumbai legend and it was a proud moment for all of us. A lot of people don't know that our team practised in the pre-season at the facilities of Vidarbha Cricket Association. But staying together in the pre-season helped in team bonding," he said.