Holder calls selection chatter unnecessary energy
Fretting about selection “consumes a lot of unnecessary energy” for West Indies’ seasoned pace-bowling all-rounder Jason Holder, who insists he has moved on from expecting things to “fall into my lap” as he waits for his opportunity with Gujarat Titans.
The 34-year-old, returning to the IPL after two seasons following a `7-crore deal, has so far been overlooked with the franchise persisting with an overseas combination of Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, Glenn Phillips and Kagiso Rabada.
But following GT’s 99-run shellacking by Mumbai Indians at their home in Ahmedabad on Monday could prompt a rethink with Holder providing option of bowling both inside the power play and at the death, and also donning a finisher’s hat with the bat.
In an exclusive interaction with PTI, the tall Bajan spoke about remaining focused on staying ready for a call-up rather than get distracted by the outside noise pertaining to selection.
“For us, getting consumed with when to play, or who’s to play, or if not to play, or if this person should be playing or not... to me, it just consumes a lot of unnecessary energy,” Holder said.
“Your job as an individual player is to be ready — just come in and do a job for the team when called upon. The rest of it is in our hands. “So, I wouldn’t even get sucked into who should play, or where we should be working, or who should bat or bowl.
It’s just more or less about what is required for us as a team to win.” Asked about his ideal batting position, he said: “Look, whatever position I’m needed in is ideal for me.
“Gone are the days when I would think that things will fall into my lap the way I want them to be…
