Prashant revealed that the CSK legend\u2019s early counsel was refreshingly practical. \u201cRight now, we haven\u2019t spoken much about cricket. He told me to save my money and not spend it unnecessarily,\u201d he said with a smile after the inauguration of the 12th Pavit Singh Nayar Memorial All India inter-college T20 tournament at the Guru Nanak College on Monday.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old all-rounder was clear about one thing when it comes to his batting role. \u201cI can bat in any situation. Just as long as I don\u2019t have to open, I will do it anywhere else,\u201d he quipped.<\/p>\n
For Prashant, the initial days in the camp have been about soaking in the environment and learning from those around him. \u201cThe environment is very good, and everyone is very supportive. It feels good to mingle with them and play together. It\u2019s a great feeling for me, my family, and my village (Sahajipur, UP). I\u2019m really blessed to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The transition into the IPL ecosystem has been an eye-opener as well. \u201cIt\u2019s my first IPL, so I have never had practice sessions like this before. The environment and the intensity here are different, so it takes a little time to get used to it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The left-arm spin all-rounder also acknowledged the challenge of comparisons with Ravindra Jadeja but insisted he was focused only on his own game. \u201cFirst of all, I have to do what I know \u2014 what I have practised and what brought me here. If I think I have to take his place, there will be a lot of pressure because what he has done for the franchise or the Indian team is not easy to do. Right now, I\u2019m just focusing on my game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Prashant credited a consistent domestic season for his rise. \u201cYou cannot say one particular tournament decides your career. Throughout the domestic season of five or six months, you have to perform. This season, I was the Player of the Tournament in the Under-23 competition (BCCI men\u2019s U-23 State-A One-Day Trophy) and the Emerging Player in the UPT20. The turning point, according to me, was that I shuttled between Mumbai and Kolkata to play both the State-A Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.\u201d<\/p>\n