Mumbai, Aug 30: India Under-19’s chirpy wicketkeeper, Smit Patel, hit the winning runs at the Tony Ireland Stadium against Australia in the finals to bring home the coveted U19 World Cup. Over the past year, the youngster has been wielding his willow to contribute valuable runs down the order to rescue India from grave situations and to add a few extra runs on the board. The Gujarat lad has also been vociferously cheering and egging bowlers from behind the stumps through highs and lows.

In a chat with bcci.tv, Patel recalled the winning moment of the 2012 ICC Under-19 World Cup.

Excerpts:

What did it feel like to hit the winning runs?

We were not thinking about that before [we hit the final run]. Eventually, when I hit the winning shot over mid-wicket and I saw the ball crossing the boundary, I felt a sigh of relief and joy when I saw my teammates running towards me. It was the fastest sprint that they would have ever run. I was so happy; it was the best day of my life.

You have been playing crucial knocks for the team lower down the order. How have you been working on your batting?

It is like what my coaches say, ‘When the chips are down, you always be there for us.’ I like that whenever my team needed, me I stood up [and contributed]. It definitely felt good that I helped my team come out of difficult situations.

What is it like batting lower down the order?

I used to bat up the order in the state tournaments and other matches. But in this side, I bat with the lower order. In the beginning, I used to struggle a little, but eventually I got how to play with the lower order and how to build my innings. Now, I have an idea of how to play with the tailenders. We guys used to just react to the situation.

How did the interaction with Sachin Tendulkar help?

The best part of that conversation that I remember was about handling pressure. I just asked him one question about the pressure and expectations of the people across India for the World Cup. Definitely, there were so many expectations when we guys left. So, he just told us that these things are bound to happen. If you accept pressure and don’t worry about anything and play, then you are going to beat pressure in any situation. [But] if you give in to the pressure and do something silly, it can cost your team also.

How did you feel when you came to know that the senior cricketers were following your team’s progress?

When we guys got to know that our seniors were following us, it felt very good that the senior players being so great are so concerned about us. We guys felt really good and it’s really a compliment to us that they are watching us. Sometimes, when we meet, they give us important tips.