'Dhoni told me, do your best and be happy'

Brisbane: Fans naturally want the Indian team to do best but they must not put cricketers “under too much of pressure”, says Praveen Kumar, the man of the match in India’s historic win against Australia in Brisbane.

“It is okay to have expectations but the fans back home should understand that we always try our best,” Praveen told CNN-IBN correspondent Vimal Kumar in an exclusive interview. (Excerpts from the interview. )

Praveen Kumar: All of us are very happy. We all met at the breakfast table today (Wednesday) morning and everyone were extremely happy, more because we defeated them at their own backyard.

Vimal Kumar: Looking at Australia's strong batting line-up, did you ever expect that you could actually do so well and be so successful against the world champions?

Praveen Kumar: Indian team did well in the Test matches and we had been playing very tough cricket during the One-Dayers as well, so we always fancied our chances.

Vimal Kumar: What did Dhoni told you when he gave you the new ball both in Sydney as well as in Brisbane?

Praveen Kumar: He just told me to bowl the way I want to. He told me that 'this is a new ball and you use the way you want to. Just do your best and be happy.'

Vimal Kumar: You bowled in three spells and in all those three spells you were very good. What was your mind-set when you came to bowl during three various times?

Praveen Kumar: I just wanted to swing my ball and stick to the line and length. I told myself not to give away too many runs and hence, put pressure on the opposition as the run-rate was climbing.

Vimal Kumar: You do agree that after doing well in Australia, you have gained in confidence but at the same time, the pressure has also increased on you? Now everyone would want you to do well every time you step out into the middle?

Praveen Kumar: It is okay to have expectations but the fans back home should understand that we always try our best. So, they must realise that it is good to have expectations but one should not put a cricketer under too much of pressure.

Vimal Kumar: Who is your idol?

Praveen Kumar: I used to watch Kapil Dev very closely. I used to like him as an all-rounder.

Vimal Kumar: Do you consider yourself an all-rounder or a bowler first?

Praveen Kumar: I am definitely a bowler first and then a batsman.