In the Bangladeshi media landscape, Mustafizur Rahman is renowned for his succinct responses, preferring brevity over verbosity even in the face of elaborate questions from journalists.
His interaction with the media dwindled further when participating in overseas leagues due to language barriers, exemplified by his silence during the post-match presentation ceremony after clinching the player-of-the-match award on his debut for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 22.
However, in a rare occurrence, Mustafizur broke his silence, speaking uninterrupted in a 5:14-minute clip released recently on CSK’s social media platforms.
In the video, the pace bowler offered insights into his cricketing journey, his ongoing tenure with CSK, and disclosed his minimalist approach not only in media interactions but also in his cricket viewing habits, preferring to focus solely on death overs while skipping the rest.
I’ve always had less inclination towards watching matches; I find playing more appealing,
Mustafizur remarked in the video, part of CSK’s ‘Lions Up Close’ series.
For me, it’s more beneficial to observe during that crucial period [death overs]. Even in Twenty20 matches, I tend to tune in only for the final four overs or so. I aim to scrutinize the batsmen’s strategies, their shot placements, and playing styles. Rarely do I invest my time in watching the entire 40 overs.
Despite faltering to defend 17 runs in the last over against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Chennai’s previous match, Mustafizur remains the team’s leading wicket-taker this season, with 12 scalps in seven games.
The 28-year-old further divulged that playing for the five-time IPL champions had been a long-cherished aspiration.
This marks my debut season with Chennai. Since my IPL debut in 2016, it has been a dream of mine to don the Chennai jersey. When I received the call [from CSK management] that night, sleep eluded me.
Mustafizur lauded the congenial atmosphere within the Chennai squad and the mentorship received from former CSK captain MS Dhoni, who stepped down this season, and bowling coach Dwayne Bravo.
The camaraderie here is remarkable. The ambiance has been welcoming since day one; I’ve felt no unease. Mahi bhai [Dhoni] shared some valuable insights into field placements, while Bravo discussed strategies for bowling during the death overs. These inputs have been invaluable.
Our conversations mostly revolve around bowling. We occasionally discuss on-field strategies. Mahi bhai often approaches me with suggestions on what could be done better.
Mustafizur’s IPL journey this year is drawing to a close. He remains available for two more matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 28 and May 1, respectively, before returning home for Bangladesh’s five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe, commencing on May 3.
Debates have arisen regarding the extension of Mustafizur’s NOC to allow him to participate for the entire IPL season.
Throughout the discourse, Mustafizur maintained his silence, but recently expressed his conviction that competing in the IPL offers unparalleled preparation for any cricketer.
The IPL boasts participation from numerous star players across the globe. Succeeding here can pave the way for success elsewhere.
