EXCLUSIVE: KKR batsman Jackson on 'role model' Gambhir

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  • Jackson's performances in domestic cricket have grabbed attention

    In a country that obsesses over stylish players and overnight teenage sensations, 29-year old Sheldon Jackson is often absent from India’s cricketing mindset. In spite of having consistently scored runs for five years on the domestic circuit, the average Indian cricket fan might never have heard the Saurashtran wicket-keeper’s name.

    But ask someone who follows domestic games avidly and he will tell you how big an influence Jackson has been on the fortunes of a struggling Saurashtran Ranji team. Along with Ravindra Jadeja, Cheteshwar Pujara and Jaydev Unadkat, Jackson has been instrumental in bringing success to his state side.

    Such has been his performance over the last two seasons that national selectors were forced to take a look at him by drafting him into the Rest of India side that took on Mumbai in the Irani Cup and an India A call-up followed, with Jackson named ahead of some more established names in first-class cricket.

    Currently on the fringes of the national team, Jackson believes that the world is yet to see his best and remains pragmatic about not getting opportunities in the IPL. Here, he speaks to Sport360.com in an exclusive interview.

    I can say that my peak is yet to come, the world is yet to see my best and that shall come very soon.

    How are the boys in the Knight Riders camp feeling after the loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator?

    At the end of the day, it’s a game – sometimes there are ups, sometimes there are downs. Unfortunately, Wednesday was a bad day. Everybody is disheartened, especially because we were playing our best cricket this season and it’s sad to lose after coming so close.

    I guess you’ll have to take it in your stride and move on.

    Jackson's first-class record

    • Matches: 38
    • Runs: 2734 @ 50.62
    • 50s: 13, 100s: 9
    • HS: 181*

    You’ve not had much of a role to play for KKR this year, is it frustrating to be not be able to prove yourself in the IPL after being one of India’s best domestic wicket-keepers?

    It’s always frustrating when you don’t get to play, but you need to understand what is best for the team you are playing in. When a team has Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa as its openers, players who have done so so well for the franchise – it’s tough to break into the XI and that’s something you have to understand that competing with some of the best in the business for a spot is not easy.

    But I know for a fact that I will get my opportunity sooner or later and whenever I get it I’ll make the most of it.

    Your relation with KKR dates back to 2009 when their talent scout Joydeep Mukherjee first spotted you, could you talk us through it?

    It was before the start of the second IPL season when the Knight Riders had their trial in Ahmedabad. At that time we had gone their for the trials, and Joydeep Mukherjee was a coach with the Knight Riders. He saw something in me and I was picked up as one of their academy recruits. Later on I was a part of their main squad last year and this year.

    I continue to work with Joydeep on my game, don’t believe in leaving people who have helped me in my initial days. He’s the first person I go to whenever I need any help related to my batting or anything.

    Seeing your domestic performances over the last two seasons, do you think you are now at your peak as a cricketer?

    I can’t say this is my peak, because right since the time I made my debut I have been performing. I can say that my peak is yet to come, the world is yet to see my best and that shall come very soon.

    Considering your recent exploits, is it unfortunate to have missed the India bus to Zimbabwe? 

    It’s not upto me to determine whether it is unfortunate or not. My role is to perform and to do that to the best of my abilities. Whether I should be taken to Zimbabwe or not, it is totally upto the selectors.

    Since you are relatively out of match practice, how do you plan to gear up for the upcoming domestic season?

    I’ll go back to training after a week or ten days off because even though I was not playing, I have been training quite hard with the team. Once the ten days are up, I’ll get back to my routine.

    Sticking to your career, who are the ones who’ve inspired you the most, both on and off the field?

    Off the field, it is my mother, Sedrene. She has been a pillar of strength in my life, and whatever I am today is because of her. She has always encouraged me and has never stopped me from doing what I wanted to. You can say that my mother is my greatest strength and weakness at the same time.

    On the field, I have always admired Gautam Gambhir a lot. It’s because of the way he plays the sport, the aggression in his approach and the way he goes about his work. He’s usually the first one to pad up and the last one to take his pads off. Even after achieving almost everything in his life, he is still like this – it’s a great inspiration.

    I believe you have also played a season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. How would you compare your two IPL captains? 

    I played half a season with Bangalore actually, because of an injury I couldn’t be a part of the side for the entirety of the tournament. Both of them are aggressive and intense in the right manner, and that approach comes out on their game – something that eventually helps them and you can see the results.

    Lastly, Bangalore under Virat’s captaincy have been unstoppable this season, do you think they’ll win this year?

    They are an extremely strong team to beat this season, and plus since Bangalore is my old team, I would like them to win this year. They have peaked at the right time, Kohli is in unbelievable touch, also playing the finals in their home ground will be a positive, I don’t see them losing from here. If they had to lose, they would have lost the last game against Gujarat Lions after being six wickets down under 70 runs. But they went on to chase down the target, it was incredible.

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