Switchblade Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 http://www.indianexpress.com/ipl2011/news/the-iqbal-abdulla-story-from-benchwarmer-to-kkrs-goto-man/795199 The black leather couch in the posh five star hotel takes some getting used to. As does the mesmeric view of the Arabian Sea splashing against Marine Drive’s sprawling promenade in south Mumbai. But Iqbal Abdulla, a lad from the cramped interiors of Kurla , isn’t complaining. Life, as he had known it, has taken quite a dramatic turn for the better. And for that, Abdulla will have to thank his presence of mind to persist with a failing team in the IPL — the Kolkata Knight Riders. Having witnessed plenty of lows with Sourav Ganguly’s side during the first three seasons of the IPL, the left-arm spinner — like many other in the franchise — suffered. But with the pre-season revamp, the troughs gave way to a series of peaks. As KKR rose from its obscurity this season, Abdulla stamped his class all over the group stages, and in the process became the highest wicket-taker for the franchise — with 16 scalps. Ecstatic with his new found acclaim, Abdulla credits the turnaround to a rather shocking move by his new captain Gautam Gambhir, in the opening game against the Chennai Super Kings this season. Opening the bowling, just like the leather couch in the sea facing room, took some getting used to, before it soon became second nature. “I had to take my chances,†says Abdulla. For three seasons, he was Murali Kartik’s understudy at KKR, waiting patiently for his chances. “So when I heard that Kartik was picked by Pune, I decided to stay back. I knew that I will get a lot more chances in IPL IV,†he adds. And there was no turning back from there on. “I was taken completly by surprise. He did not tell me before, or even on the day of the game. The first time I found out that I will be bowling with the new ball was on the field,†says Abdulla. So how did he prepare himself in such short notice? “I told myself that this is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. I had to give it my best shot. I held my nerves, and put more than a 100 per cent into it.†And the rest, as they say, is history. It isn’t just the ample figure in his wickets column that makes him Gambhir’s go-to man, just take a look at his season’s economy rate — 6.00. And despite his lack of variations, Abdulla has learnt the art of survival in the pro-batsman world by taking advice from the best in the business — his Kolkata team mates. “Gambhir is the best player of spin, Yusuf Pathan is the best hitter in the world and Wasim Akram (bowling coach) is the original trickster. By just talking to them, you get to learn so much about the game,†he says. So having done his homework well in the practice area, Abdulla conquered the likes of Kieron Pollard and Adam Gilchirst over the course of the season. “You have to stay calm when faced with adversity,†he says. Staying calm against the Mumbai Indians at his home ground of the Wankhede Stadium, will surely be a test of Abdulla’s mental reserves. But having conquered the unknown before, both the new ball and the sofa set, the tweaker will put his money on delivering the goods, once again on Wednesday night.
gaurav92 Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 Only KKR can have benchwarmer's as their go to guy :hehe:
Andy Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 Only KKR can have benchwarmer's as their go to guy :hehe: :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:
Sidhoni Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 Only KKR can have benchwarmer's as their go to guy :hehe: :cantstop::cantstop::cantstop::cantstop:
Sir john Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 i first time seen him in DD cricketstar show :bigboss: good spin allrounder :nice:
ViruRulez Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 A thinking spinner who actually spins the ball instead of darting. Not a dunce with the bat too with a decent average of about 35 in first class cricket. Might be a good India prospect too in the future behind the likes of Ashwin, Mishra and Ojha.
vvvslaxman Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 Rising star award won by Iqbal Abdulla. Well deserved :bow:
Stuge Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 mashallah, he is from azam garh and he gave his advice to everyone to believe in God like he does believe in him.I hope he does well in future and plays for India :)
ganeshran Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 Hope he does well and doesnt get distracted by the newfound wealth
1983-2011 Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 Congratulation Iqbal Abdulla, keep working hard and make maximum of every oppurtinuty that you get regardless of its quality. Keep your head and don't forget the people who have helped you to get here.
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