Mumbai, Nov 13: Ranji heavyweights Mumbai found another rescue man in Abhishek Nayar on Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy clash against Rajasthan at Brabourne stadium. The southpaw anchored the Mumbai innings as his team-mates Rohit Sharma (100) and Suryakumar Yadav (87) scored prolifically at the other end.

Nayar played a crucial knock, scoring 155 runs before retiring hurt after tea. In the post-match interaction with the media, the all-rounder said that he was fit to come out and bat tomorrow allaying the fears of his team and supporters.

Excerpts from his interaction:

On whether he would be able to bat on Day 4 after retiring hurt on Day 3

Yes, [I] just had cramps so [I] should be okay tomorrow. I had [cramps] in my whole body. [It] started from my forearms then went on to the whole body [but] I’m feeling better now.

On whether his wrist injury played a part in his retiring hurt

No, it had nothing to do with that; just cramps [and] dehydration.

On his knock of 155 which was crucial in keeping Mumbai in the game

We lost wickets in the morning – Rohit got out and I think it was important to stay there. Surya was anyway playing shots so I just tried to hang in there and make sure I batted as much as I could without throwing my wicket and it worked out well.

On whether he changed his game given Suryakumar Yadav was playing all the shots

I think it is difficult for two people to go berserk at the same time. Sometimes someone has to play the anchor. At that point of time, since he was hitting [the ball] well, I thought I would stay back and let him play his game and then take over whenever he loses [his] wicket because one guy has to play till the end. We were chasing 500-odd [runs] so we had to bat long. That’s why I just thought of taking my time and making sure that I put a tab on my wicket.

On going all out in the morning session (187 runs were scored in the first session)

There wasn’t any strategy, to be honest. I was just trying to see the ball and play as it came. In the morning session they didn’t have a very defensive field so we ended up getting more runs than in the other sessions. When we hit the gaps we got four instead of one or two [runs]. That was also crucial, the initial [onslaught]. Our whole strategy was to play the initial session in the morning. It worked out well for us in the way that we played good shots and we got value for [strokes].

On the pitch

I think it’s a good pitch. This has always been one of the better wickets. It’s obviously helping the batsman but there is a bit of turn. I have always liked CCI, always enjoyed playing matches here. We always have good sporting pitches and this is obviously on the flatter side but I think it’s also important to bat well on such pitches and get as many runs in the session.

On having scored a hundred here earlier

I enjoy playing in Mumbai, anywhere in Mumbai, any ground. It’s always good to play at home. The pitch suited our strength and hopefully things work out well.

On a good comeback from injury

It’s been long and it’s been a very emotional ride for me, the past five months, surgeries and working through it. I am happy and grateful to my family and friends and everyone who worked on me and worked alongside me. Coming back from my injuries to start to practice and try to get back my form and all. I worked with Pravin Amre for a couple of weeks when I got back from Bangalore [and] that’s helped me a lot. That for me was kind of […] finding my form there.

On his surgeries

I had a surgery on my right wrist and my right ankle so I initially got my right ankle done just post the IPL and when I started walking again I got my wrist done. So I think around four-and-a-half–five months I was basically out with injury and trying to come back. I have had two-and-a-half weeks of practice since I started batting again after long time. [It’s] been difficult but it’s been fun.

On whether he has changed his stance

Not really. Like I said I was working with Pravin Amre and he suggested something to me and I am just working on that as of now. [I’ve] straightened up so that is something he thought would benefit my game and improve the range of my shots and flow of my bat which is my strongest point – my batting […] Like I said, the last two weeks I have been working with him on drills that helped this new kind of back-lift that I have [and] it’s worked out well.

On whether the change of stance had anything to do with the injury

Not really. It wasn’t to do with the injury. We just decided [it would be beneficial]. He thought that I should try and use both my hands; even before of my injury he thought I should try and use my top hand and bottom hand [equally]. I think working on that and a lot of drills, it changed a lot, [the] back-lift, the way I hold my bat […] It’s more comfortable playing any kind of bowling […] I’ve done a lot of hard work with him and the amount of time we spent [together] helped.