You hardly have any idea what it feels to be outside when you are in the team: Binod Bhandari

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Aug 22, 2018

Hard-hitting batsman Binod Bhandari finally found his place back in the national team on the back of a matured performance in the Prime Minister Cup One Day National cricket tournament. If provided the opportunity, Bhandari will now take to the crease in Malaysia for the cucial ACC Asia Cup Qualifier scheduled for�August 29 to September 6. Bhandari last played for Nepal in the ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) matches against United Arab Emirates in December last year. Cricketingnepal.com sat with Bhandari for an interview ahead of the team’s departure to Sri Lanka where they will be fine tuning their preparations for the Qualifier. Here are the excerpts:

Q. You had cemented your place in the national team and a slide in form saw you lose that spot for the last eight months. How did those eight months go for you?

A. When you are playing in the team, you hardly have any idea what it feels to be outside. But when you are out, it pinches you right in your heart. I started thinking if I was there (in the team), I would have played well. Then the domestic game started and there was hunger to score more runs and that kept me focused. The overall thinking has been changed. Now I feel, if I am in the team, I have no other option that to perform.�

Q. The pool in the national team is gradually getting bigger. Youngsters have come forward and they have given good performance as well. How much chances do you see for yourself in the playing XI?

A. That thing is solely up to the coach and captain to decide which players are required for certain match. If I would get a chance, I will give my hundred percent.

Q. How are looking at your traditional aggressive style. Would you like to remain the same or now play with more maturity or staying at the wickets?�

A. International games are not like playing in the domestic matches. It�s not like I will hit the first ball. I will play according to the situation.

Q. How can you make your comeback memorable?�

A. Now I will perform better that�s it.