Junior Hirwani feeling more confident after breakthrough season

INDORE: Clad in his Madhya Pradesh practice uniform, Mihir Hirwani quietly walked out at Holkar Stadium on Thursday evening. The 23-year-old warmed up with light stretching exercise before waiting patiently for his turn during an optional practice session of Kings XI Punjab.
Patience is something he has learned a lot from his father Narendra, ex-India legspinner and now head spin coach of National Cricket Academy.Much like his father, things haven’t come easy for Mihir, also a legspinner. He had to wait three years before Madhya Pradesh team management looked at him as their lead spinner.
Mihir delivered the goods this season and emerged the highest wicket-taker for MP and finished among the top 10 wicket takers in the country. He is only one of the two bowlers in the country to take four or more five-wicket hauls in Ranji Trophy.
Mihir’s name was called thrice during Indian Premier League auction but none of the teams picked him despite the talent scouts speaking highly of him during Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 Trophy. Mihir isn’t entirely disappointed. He knows his time will come.
“I was called for trials by three teams. I did well there. I thought someone or other will get me but that didn’t happen. After the auction, I was in the Kings XI’s preparatory camp for 13 days. I am sure some day, I will also be part of some team. I have already started preparing for the next season. Winning Ranji Trophy for MP next season is my aim,” Mihir told TOI on Thursday.
It wasn’t easy for Mihir before this season. Everyone expected him to perform like his father. “I felt pressure at the Under-16 level itself. I would always hear taunts like ‘Hirwani ka beta hai isliye aa gaya hai’. By the time I made it to Under-23, I got used to it. If Hirwani dominated more ahead of Mihir, it’s because what my father has done during his playing days. I had given big performances (9 wickets against Baroda in 2015-16) but people thought it was a fluke. I was looking forward to be more consistent and am glad I could do it,” he said.
Mihir worked tirelessly before the last Ranji Trophy season to come out of his father’s shadow. “For years, I have been only bowling, bowling and bowling. It was on the ground; while driving; while sleeping. The aim was to do better in the next session. I used to bowl 100-120 overs daily for four-five days a week in the off-season, not only to develop muscle memory but also to sharpen my skills and thereby iron out the mistakes,” said Mihir.
The MP youngster was advised by his father to have leg spin as the stock ball. “If I master it first, other variations get easy. If you try too many things too early, your main weapon gets weak. I developed flipper only towards the end of Under-19 level. Leg-spinners are always lottery. They go for runs but they also win you the matches. I am glad to see so many wrist spinners are coming up,” Mihir said.
So, how’s his relation with his father. “I guess the percentage of coach-student has increased over the years. Earlier, if it was 50% coach and father, now it’s 95% coach and 5% father. We mostly talk about cricket. He doesn’t overdo it but I like talking cricket with him. I want to improve and he is the best person to talk to. He always said ‘if you play, you will play for yourself, yes I will be proud but it will all be your achievement. You have been working hard for last 10 years so now is the time to deliver and not to give up. He just wanted me to be a large-hearted cricketer,” he said.