Exclusive Interview: Kept believing that I can get another chance, says Owais Shah

In an exclusive interview with Deep Mehta and Param Kothari, England batsman Owais Shah opens up about life after cricket, his inspiration, disappointment on being dropped, IPL and a lot more.

According to your twitter bio, you are a property developer now. Tell us something about that.

Okay so, around 6-7 years ago, I wanted to look at my life after cricket and I decided to get into property development which I thought would be a good way to make a living because you can’t play cricket your whole life. I have been doing it alongside cricket because I knew one day I would have to retire from cricket and move on to something else. Basically that’s the only reason of doing it and I enjoy it. So yes, developing some properties in London and playing some Twenty-20 cricket outside.

At what age did you start playing school cricket and what motivated you to do so?

I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. Same as in India, you play on the streets and outside the houses. I lived in a flat so that’s where I used to play. I usually played outside on the road and from there I developed playing cricket and also by watching it on T.V.

I came to England when I was 15 years old. I started playing at a cricket club. Later, I was signed by my county, Middlesex, as a professional cricketer. Basically when you are young and you get a job of playing cricket, you just think that that’s really good. I enjoyed cricket and I loved playing it.

Who motivated me? My boyhood hero was Javed Miadad, he was a very good batsman and I guess when I was a bit older, about 18 years old, I loved watching Sachin Tendulkar alongside Vivian Richards. Those two guys were two of my favourite batsmen. Also I would say Mark Ramprakash, who was at that time at Middlesex, was the best batsman at Middlesex. So I looked up to him also to become as good as him.

Was your family supportive? Did they like what you were actually doing?

Yes, my Mom and Dad were obviously very supportive. They basically wanted me to do schooling first and then during any spare time I had, I could go out and play cricket. They used to take me to other grounds to play more cricket matches. In that way of course, we all need the support of our parents to succeed in our career, be it Cricket or anything.

So, cricket was the only sport you played or some other sport also?

Besides cricket, I used to play a little bit of football at school. But yes, like I said earlier, when you are 15, in your summer holidays, most kids would go and play other sports. But I was getting paid for playing cricket as it was my job and I of course loved playing cricket. So I didn’t have any time to play any other sport apart from cricket. As I got older, during the winter times, I used to go to England under-17 or England under-19. So all the time I was busy playing cricket.

That reminds us of your Under-19 stint, you were the captain and you lead your side to victory at the U19 World Cup in the year 1998. Can you describe that feeling?

Yes, I was fortunate enough to play Under-19 cricket at the age of 17. So I had 2 years to play Under-19 cricket. In my final year, there was a World Cup in South Africa and I was leading the side. We didn’t really play well at the start of the tournament but at the end of the tournament we played pretty well and then obviously went on to win the final at Johannesburg. It was truly one of my highlights as an Under-19 cricketer. It was great to win a World Cup at such a young age. It was really nice and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

After a truckload of runs in county cricket and a heavy debut score of 88 runs, you were still not given a fix spot in the national team. So how did you feel at that time?

I was obviously disappointed. I felt I did enough to gain a spot in the team. It didn’t make any sense to me. I had performed well but was not given a chance to play in the next Test match. I didn’t play any Test further for a year and a half which was really strange and baffled me. But yeah, you really need to ask the coach why I wasn’t selected even after playing well in my debut test.

So do you think Duncan Fletcher had a big role to play for your exclusion from the team?

Well he was the coach then. So I guess yes, once they didn’t want me in, they didn’t want me in. That’s all! Maybe I wasn’t liked by them or they didn’t want me to be in the set up, I really don’t know. I only got back in the England team after Duncan Fletcher retired. Maybe he didn’t like the way I played, that’s the only possible reason I think.

During these ups and downs, what was the constant source of inspiration that got you going towards cricket?

Well, I guess you always think that something will change and you will get a chance. I kept working hard, kept believing that I can get another chance. So that’s the only thing that made me think that one day I will get an opportunity. I think that opportunity came when Duncan Fletcher retired and Peter Moores took over, I was back in the England team. I played a lot more regularly under Peter Moores. I had a few friends who always reminded me that, “You are good enough to get some opportunities so just keep knocking the door.” So yes, few close friends and my family always kept on telling me that I am good enough to play and also to be ready when the opportunity comes. So that’s the only inspiration that got me going.

Talking about friends, who was your best mate in the dressing room?

I have always been good friends with Paul Weekes who was at Middlesex. We both are still friends. He was a really very good friend in terms of reminding me that I was good enough and I must keep going.

You played IPL for 4 different teams in 4 seasons. How was the experience there?

I loved playing in the IPL. Just for the sheer experience, the crowd was amazing. My first trip was with Delhi where I didn’t play much but I was fortunate enough to play alongside and share dressing room with people like Sehwag, Ashish Nehra, AB De Villiers and Tilakaratne Dilshan. We had a very good team and I knew I wasn’t playing but I was really very happy being there because I was learning so much, watching all these players playing the shortest format of the game which is a huge tournament now.

Then I requested Delhi to put me on the transfer list so at least I can play some cricket next season rather being on the bench again at Delhi. Luckily KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) selected me. So then, I went to Kolkata and played many more games there which was again a very good experience. But I think my best IPL performance came at Rajasthan Royals where they actually gave me proper run in the team. At one stage of the tournament I was in competition for the orange cap.

So, I loved my life at Rajasthan Royals. But in my last year at Rajasthan Royals, I don’t know what happened. Maybe the coach didn’t want me in the set up. It didn’t really make much sense.

How do you see IPL as a platform for youngsters? There are two contrasting views about it like some people say it is a platform for young guys to enter the national side while some are of the opinion that it drags players away from their goal by the media attention.

I think all the players have to make a decision when you are young: Whether you want to play Test cricket and are you good enough to play Test cricket. If you are good enough to play Test cricket then I think should try to play Test cricket and not worry about IPL too much. Once you have tried your luck at Test cricket, if that fails or succeeds, that’s fine. Once you have had a good go at Test cricket then I think you should look at IPL or Big Bash or doesn’t really matter which one, you just play some Twenty-20 and enjoy yourself and make some money. 

But I think Test cricket is the most important form of the game and people must try and play as much Test cricket as they can. I also realised that there are some young guys who might not be good enough to play Test cricket. You know like, some guys don’t really have that talent to play Test cricket or the mentality to play Test cricket. Those guys must realize and say to themselves that, “Okay, I am not good enough to play Test cricket so let me target 20-20.” But first and foremost if you are good enough to play Test cricket, you must play Test cricket. It’s the best format of the game. 

The money would follow. They shouldn’t try and chase money.Money, finance and all the fame comes only if you work hard. As soon as you get ahead of yourself and start thinking that, “I don’t really want to work hard but I want all the fame, glitter, magazines and the photo-shoots,” then you will fall flat on your face and it won’t work. 

Some Superstars in India like Virat Kohli are hard-working cricketers. Rohit Sharma too, they all work hard for cricket and rest everything comes afterwards. That’s what I would like to say.

Earlier in your career you were batting at No.3 and then in the IPL your role was primarily as that of a finisher. What transition did you go through to switch roles?

You have to learn to be able to adapt in life. Not just in Cricket, at everything. And I believe that as a batsman you can evolve. Batting at No.3 was a role given to me at Middlesex and all my counties and for England in Tests. But, as time goes on, your game will change and you develop different strengths. If there is a spot at number 5 or 6, you have to either fill in the spot or sit out. It’s about adapting and making sure that you are on the team.

So did you make any major changes to switch to the finishing role? Because obviously, finishing requires you to go out and take charge right from the word ‘GO’.

There were not many technical changes, but more of the mental and tactical changes in my game. While batting at number 3, I could take my time but while finishing I had to get through a bit quicker. There were certainly some technical changes but it was all about taking those calculated risks, which was earlier the latter part of my innings at 3. But at 5 or 6, you need to take those risks early in your innings, and that was the only change.

I was fortunate that it worked for me at Rajasthan Royals and all other franchises. I have been lucky enough to play in all the T20 leagues.

In 2008, your wondrous batting performance led your team Middlesex to a victory. Please describe this experience.

It was ‘strange’. I was simultaneously playing for England at that time so I could not play all the round matches. I was only able to play in the Quarter Finals, Semi finals and the Final that year. I clearly remember that while I was waiting to bat in the finals, I knew it was going to be my day. Not often, in your career as a cricketer do you have that feeling. Probably only on 3-4 days in your career do you experience and feel that it is going to be your day before you walk onto the field.

On that day, I knew it was going to be my day. I love performing in front of big crowds, and the stage was set perfectly. All I had to do was to remind myself not to get ahead of myself and make sure I was playing percentage shots. I had to get myself in and play my shots.

I really enjoyed that day as it was my first trophy with Middlesex. I had played for them right from the U-11 to professional cricket, so it was a pretty good feeling to win it.

You have bowled a couple of times in your career. Your first ODI wicket was that of Rahul Dravid. How did you feel at the moment? It was special wasn’t it?

Yes, it was special of course because it was Dravid. But, I was very lucky there. It was just that Rahul made a mistake, rather than me getting him out. Also, it was at the Oval and I got my first ODI century there so that day was special.

After playing competitive cricket for almost 18 years now, what was the highlight of your career as a player?

Actually there are two things. Firstly, playing Test Cricket for England with a dream debut against India in Mumbai at Wankhede, where I got 88. The other one is my maiden ODI century at the Oval. These are probably two of the greatest moments in my career.

Over the years you have shared the dressing room with some of the legends of the game. Any particular advice that a senior player gave you which helped you improve your technique and changed your approach towards the game?

Yes, I remember when I was playing against Sussex, I met Mushtaq Ahmed who played for Sussex. I met him when I was just 23 years old; as I mentioned earlier, I was getting runs but wasn’t selected to play for England. I was almost falling out of love with Cricket. But he told me that you have to reignite your passion for cricket, batting and learning overall. If you don’t do that, you won’t get to the top. All the players at the top are passionate about their game. I think that was the best piece of advice I received in my career. I created that for myself and made myself fall in love with my batting again and I worked hard.

Also, I remember ringing Mohammed Azahuruddin in India. I came down to India for a couple of sessions with him and he gave me some batting tips. After that, I came to England and performed better. It helped me improve my game and I become a better player than I was earlier.

You had a poor series against Australia in 2009. After that you were selected for the Champions trophy. Obviously, you were under pressure. But then, you made a 98 in the second group game. What kind of relief did you get after that knock? Please describe the experience.

Yes, that was towards the end of my one day career which was very strange. I had a poor series against Australia, but then I came to South Africa and got a 98. I got some runs against Sri Lanka as well. But somehow, after that tournament I saw myself out of the team. I again don’t really understand what the captain and the coach thought and why they decided to drop me. In the previous 12 months, I was the leading run scorer for England and still I was dropped. So, I am not sure whether they had to do something with my performance or not, since I was consistent. Then why was I out of the team? It didn’t really make any sense. But that’s the way it is. Maybe, Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss had a different direction to go in then. Eventually I was dropped and that was the last time I played for England.

Over the years you have faced many bowlers. Any particular that you found was the best?

I think all the top bowlers are very difficult to face as they don’t give you any bad balls or space to work out with. Bowlers like McGrath, Muralitharan, etc. never give you loose deliveries. You can face them, but getting runs is hard. However, Shane Warne was difficult to face. Though, I can’t pick one as all these guys were the best.

Who are the best batsmen in the world currently in your opinion?

I think Steven Smith from Australia, Joe Root for England and Virat Kohli from India are the top three players around currently.

You must have noticed Steve Smith’s ‘walking technique’, some regard it as flawless, what do you think?

I think it doesn’t really matter. Cricket is of course a technical game but it’s more about mental stability and stature. If you are mentally strong, you any make any technique work. Steve Smith is very good at making his technique work for him. It’s just like holding a pen differently will make you a bad writer. He (Smith) has a very good mental game and is organised with his technique.

What would be your message to young budding cricketers?

Work hard on whatever you plan to do, because without hard work you won’t go far. There are no short cuts to success. Make sure you are honest, true to yourself so you can sleep at night. You cannot cheat yourself. Success will follow.