Right-hand batsman and wicketkeeper, Sheldon Jackson, made his first-class debut for Saurashtra in 2011. He rose to prominence in the domestic circuit during the Ranji Trophy season 2012-13 and since then he has done consistently well.
From scoring a triple unbeaten triple hundred for Globe Trotters Sports Club, owned by MRF, against United Friends Cricket Club in a four-day match in the Tamil Nadu first-division league to scoring back to back hundreds in Duleep Trophy, Sheldon has been piling runs in domestic cricket and is improving his chances for the India call up.
In an exclusive interview with Circle of Cricket, Sheldon Jackson talks about his experience in Duleep Trophy, playing under Gautam Gambhir, Recent form in domestic cricket and a lot more.
You have performed really well in the recent past and also in the Duleep trophy. How do you feel about it?
I came with a lot of positive thoughts in the Duleep Trophy. When a person keeps doing better, they need to go a level up each time they get a chance. I was discussing with my coach before coming here that I will play the way I know how to play whether it works in my favour or not is secondary.
Coming to the Pink ball which is a new thing. How has the ball behaved with the batsmen?
It takes 15-20 mins or so to adjust with this ball while you are at the crease. Once you adjust with it, you can play your shots. The pink ball is definitely here to stay. Not saying that it’s easier to face this ball. The white ball travels a lot whereas the red ball swings a lot but the pink one does both. It’s a mix of everything.
You have been playing as a pure batsman since quite some time now. Do you feel you will make it to the top as a pure batsman or as a keeper-batsman?
Whatever comes way, I’ll do it. When I play for my state team, I keep wickets. Here I am playing as a pure batsman and I am happy doing that.
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After a string of consistent performances in the domestic circuit, did you expect a call-up into the Indian Team for the series against New Zealand?
Everyone who performs, expects a call. Everyone who plays in the domestic circuit wants to play for the country someday. I performed well so I thought maybe I should have got a chance.
What are your plans for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season? Anything specific you are looking at doing?
Honestly telling you, have not planned anything specific for the season. Last season I had a lot of plans and goals for myself which never really worked in my favour and that only put pressure on me. At the end of the season, I was not even half way of where I wanted to be. So, this season I will take a match at a time and play many balls as possible.
We all know that you have been a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. How was it to play under him in the Duleep Trophy ?
In all my interviews I have said that I have looked up to him all my life. The only reason is that he is a very hard worker on the field. Be it in the Duleep Trophy or the IPL. Where ever he plays, he sets his own standards. He performs wherever he goes. He is a person with a lot of hunger and will to succeed. He leaves an impression on the younger guys. He has achieved everything in life as a cricketer but his hunger still remains the same. We have not even climbed the first step of his game.
Team Circle of Cricket with Sheldon Jackson
