Mumbai, Dec 24: Left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan claimed a four-for for Mumbai to help bowl out Punjab for the second time in the ongoing match giving the hosts a sniff of victory at the Wankhede. Mumbai then successfully chased down 127 runs to top the Elite Group A table of the Ranji Trophy’s 2011-‘12 season. The southpaw had earlier contributed a valuable 73 runs to the host’s first-innings score of 430.

After an all-round performance, the 26-year-old is now competing for a place in the side with fellow spinner Iqbal Abdulla as Mumbai go into the knockouts. In the post-match media interaction, Ankeet spoke about his game, crediting his father for his success.

Excerpts:

On taking four wickets in the morning to bowl Punjab out

It was good. The ball started turning in the morning; it was helpful for me. Basically I was just trying to bowl up because the wicket was getting slower and slower. I was trying to bowl as much as possible on the stumps and making the batsmen play [and] it helped.

On whether there was any help from the wicket

Later in the day it started turning a little so that was a good boost for me. We have been playing on flat pitches, so this helped a little; it was turning well. The ball wasn’t turning much in the first innings, it wasn’t moving that much. The wicket was helping the pace bowlers, so keeping that in mind, the bowling was good.

On whether he was able to give more flight to the ball in the second innings

Basically, I didn’t get my rhythm in the first innings that well [but I did] in the second innings, so that helped me.

On the pressure to perform

That pressure was definitely there. I need to cement my place [in the side] so I need to do well in as many chances as I get.

On whether he had been working on his batting as well

Yes, I have. I’m an all-rounder, so I do work on my batting as well. But my more focus is on bowling.

On having a good season with the bat so far and whether that gives him an extra advantage

It definitely does because I need to perform [in both spheres], so it helps me a little.

On the internal competition with Iqbal Abdulla

It’s okay; competition is part of the game.

On the point at which Mumbai sniffed victory

We always had a chance, yes. We were trying our best to get wickets. We had planned to get a few wickets early on and that would have helped. Fortunately it happened and that helped the team to win the game.

On the guidance he has received

Satish Samant has helped me but my main coach is my dad, he helps me out with everything – mentally, my game [etc.] He is not a player; my family’s [economic situation] was not good at that time so he couldn’t play. I give all credit to him after my coach.