Shivam Mavi is capped Indian cricketer who was also the part of Indian U-19 World Cup winning team in 2018. In this exclusive interview with News24’s Aditya Mallick and Akshat Mittal, Shivam Mavi has spoken about his journey from struggling during initial stages of his career to play for the Indian Cricket Team. He also talked about players fitness issues, including his own injury. He also talked about the role of a captain in player’s development and opined about the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

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Let’s delve deeper into the conversation to gain more insights.

Shivam Mavi Interview: Excerpts

Take us through your journey from initial stages to playing for the Indian Cricket Team?

• When I started playing cricket, it was tough because I didn’t have the financial resources. I never imagined playing for India, but when I joined the U-19 team, I realized it was possible. I began playing professionally at 11 years of age. I started playing for the Delhi Under-14 team.

• I wasn’t picked for the U-16 team for two years. At 17, I moved to Uttar Pradesh for better opportunities, and there I was selected for the U-19 team in my first year. I played in the UP U-19 team for three years, and in the third year, I was selected for the India U-19 team.

• The 2018 U-19 World Cup was a turning point in my career. After winning the World Cup, I joined the IPL, but faced challenges and injuries along the way. There were times when I felt I could have played earlier, but I didn’t give up. I had that believe that I can represent my country.

How do you manage the pressure in big matches?

• When big matches come, I focus on what I can control. As an all-rounder, I prioritize on what I am doing at that particular time. I concentrate on executing my plans, and that helps reduce pressure.

Having played under Hardik Pandya and other captains, how does a captain influence a player’s growth?

• A captain plays a crucial role in guiding bowlers and batters to perform well. Hardik Pandya gave me full freedom to play when I played under his captaincy. He said, “Khul ke khel sakte ho, jo field leni hai set kar le (you can play freely, and set the field according to your preference)”. This was quite motivating for me as a youngster.

How do you think an IPL franchise supports a player’s mental well-being, especially during tough times?

• A franchise’s trust and support can make the difference. Knowing the management team and their level of backing can boost a player’s confidence. Even if a player isn’t performing well over several innings, if the franchise continues to back them, the player may deliver in key moments. Franchise support gives players confidence and a morale boost.

In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, what’s gone wrong for India after dominating Australia in Perth?

• According to my view, the bowling was good, but shot selection in batting was at fault. In the first two matches, the shot choices were not that adequate. Everyone has a game plan, but you have to choose your shots according to the field set for you. Primarily, because of these reasons, we lost.

Who among the current fast bowlers inspires you?

• Since childhood, I’ve always admired Dale Steyn. Now I learn a lot from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. They take wickets at crucial time in the game. When I meet them, they advise me to keep things simple and focus on a few things, rather than trying to do everything.

What do you think about Rinku Singh as a captain? What’s his approach to leadership?

• During UPPL Season 2, his captaincy was impressive, especially his strategic bowler rotations during crucial overs. This earned him the captaincy for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he performed well. He is expected to receive more captaincy opportunities in the future and lead Uttar Pradesh to success.

How tough is it for a player to recover from injuries, especially after a major setback?

• As an all-rounder, balancing batting and bowling after recovering from the injury is really tough. However, the BCCI nowadays give better rest periods in domestic cricket, which helps prevent injuries. In the past, the tight schedule between the matches led to frequent injuries, and recovery is indeed tough. For me, I stay focused on my goal and remain determined to perform for my team when I return after any injury.

What’s your next goal now?

• I’m committed to returning and representing my country for the next one decade, giving my all for the team. This remains my ultimate goal.

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