Veeradeep Singhname synonymous with Malaysian cricketer, has carved a niche for himself as a talented all-rounder and a key player in his country’s cricketing landscape. As the first Malaysian to score a T20I century, Virandeep has consistently showcased his skills on the international stage. In our exclusive interview, he shared insights on his cricketing journey, his inspirations, memorable moments and future aspirations, providing a glimpse into the mindset of a rising cricket star.
From following in his brother’s footsteps during school cricket to representing Malaysia at the senior level, Virandeep’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. His passion for the game and commitment to continuous improvement is evident in every anecdote and experience he shares. Let’s dive into the candid conversation with the young cricketer, who is determined to make his mark on the world stage.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
Q: Share your cricketing journey with us. How did it all start?
Virandeep: I think, like many others out there, I think they started at the school level. I had the opportunity to choose a place in school and it was actually my brother that I followed. He played cricket for school so there’s a two year gap between me and my brother and yes so when he went to school at the age of seven I was five at the time and we had to choose a place at school so my parents were ok why don’t we choose cricket and since then actually before I even entered school I had already joined his trainings and stuff that’s how it all started for me and yes after that I slowly progressed to the club level at the age of 10 years. I started playing for RSC at the age of 10, that’s when I really played like proper hard ball cricket and stuff and then I played for the state I had the opportunity to play for the Malaysian under 16s and from there 19 and then senior level so yeah it’s been great I’d say I’ve got a lot of experience to gain and a lot to learn along the way but yeah it’s just started I’m still very young so it’s a lot road.
Q: Tell us about your role models and how they have influenced your game?
Virandeep: I’ve always had different standards for different reasons, I would say if I break it down to how today cricket is such a fast-paced game and there’s a lot of hard hitting involved and stuff. I like to watch Tim David. I think I’ve played against him quite a bit, I mean a few matches when he was playing for Singapore, so Malaysia and Singapore we always play each other a lot, so yeah, see somebody I’ve really looked at him and I feel like I want of course not I was saying I want one bat like that but you know the impact he can make on the game I really appreciate it and I like to see that I want to learn as much as I can from him and I think he’s got really good hitting techniques as well so for now I’d say Tim David is one of the standards I have.
Of course when it comes to fitness and other things Virat Kohli he’s somebody who’s really up there and I mean, of course, a lot of people bring up his name, but yeah, I think there’s a lot to learn from him, and you know his attitude and his approach to the game, and he’s also very aggressive, he’s really he’s willing to do anything for his team and win the game and stuff so yeah those are some of the things that I look at and pick and try to emulate and others because I wouldn’t give you a name because that’s how I see them stuff whenever i watch cricket and stuff. I always want to take things from everyone and that’s where you learn from I guess yes. I would say for now those two and if you ask me the same question maybe within the next year or the next six months that might change as well so for now those are the two places I’m looking at
I have played under 19 cricket like under 19 Asia Cup and others. One was in Malaysia and then we also played the pop-up cup, so I played with the under-19s I think and Shubman Gill and all those guys, but we haven’t played against Virat Kohli.
Also READ: An exclusive interview with New Zealand star Xara Jetly: Netball to Cricket, Dream wickets and favorite IPL team
Q: How did it feel to be the first Malaysian to score a T20I century?
Virandeep: I think playing T20 cricket is something I enjoy. We’re not a Test nation, we don’t have red ball cricket in the country, I mean of course I had played some red ball cricket back then and I think after that we realized there’s no point really playing red ball cricket and that’s why we started we play more white ball stuff and I think with the international T20I regime coming for all countries I think it has opened doors for everybody if you ask me because I think in T20 cricket you spend three hours You know on the field and you go home you play 50 over cricket you play eight hours and it’s a very long game so I would consider ourselves semi-professional, I wouldn’t say we’re professional cricketers.
I would say we are semi-professional cricketers, so playing T20 cricket is something we all enjoy doing and things, sixes and fours and wickets, that’s something we all enjoy, so yes, T20 International. I was opening at that time but now of course I’m betting 3 fours and stuff but I was opening the batting back then and it was yeah very clear roles that my coach was giving me and stuff and just to go and express yourself and hit as many boundaries as you can and i guess it was my day.
Q: Your brother Pawandeep is also a cricketer. Do you trade tips on and off the field?
Virandeep: I think a good thing for us is that I’m a batter and he’s a bowler so it really helps us because we can share from his point of view I wouldn’t really say in terms of techniques and things we don’t really talk much. about the techniques but it’s all like reading the batter’s mind like he’s coming and saying ok what do you think I should do when he’s bowling and stuff what do you think with the field set should I field this or should I field it this pitch and other things or what do you think he’s going to try to do now is try to attack or do you think they’re going to play a couple of hours out and maybe and then they’re going to take charge and what’s his strength batter and or maybe he’s holding the bat that way so what do you think we should do and stuff so yeah all these little things where that’s the best I’ll understand and I can share that with him and of course when he bows as well with the new ball, so I also ask him some questions and things about what he’s trying to do and stuff, so basically it’s more about the rationale, like trying to be one step ahead of the batter or one step in front of the bowler so yes that really helps.
Just say after we play a game and stuff we come back and then we have like we analyze maybe on the way back when you come back from the field and stuff we just analyze okay what do you think we could have done better and you know today I couldn’t really do anything or today was a good day for me and stuff so yeah it’s always nice to have someone to talk cricket with and I love talking about the game. I’m a big fan of sharing and talking and trying to learn as much as I can and stuff, so yeah, it’s nice to have him around and just talk about cricket, that really makes a difference.
Q: Most memorable moment of your career so far?
Virandeep: If there is one Innings that comes to mind it is when I made a fifty against India under 19. I was playing against India 19 and I made 50 against them and at that time I was yes I was 18. I was playing my last under 19 tournament then I made my 50 against India. I think it was special for me. Just to share with you in my life, I always thought I had this, I play ok, for example this little incident that happened that really helped me change my mindset, so for example before that maybe my confidence level was low or maybe I had no idea how good it was. So whenever I played that one little innings, I think that helped me become a better player after that, the way I played against India, but whatever 50 I did or whatever, it wasn’t about the runs I was getting at senior cricket and that’s when I realized ok I can actually play. I belong to I feel like I can you know do the best I can play anyone like that. if i can play so i was thinking right because when you are young and you think i can play with india of course you play the name and now you understand it’s all about playing the ball.
The second that comes to mind is Innings against Bangladesh. We lost the game unfortunately and a lot more but that’s something I honestly don’t really like to talk about because of the way we lost that and other things but yeah that’s another Innings that made me believe or actually I’d say that he made the team believe that it’s not just about me, it’s about the team because he helped us believe okay yeah we can compete you know we can compete with the best and stuff so I feel like yes, those little moments that happen and stuff and that really helps us all grow as cricketers.
Q: Do you have any plans to play in the IPL?
Virandeep: This is a dream for every player out there, I would say if you ask any cricketer who plays for his country, of course he would like to play in the IPL one day and that is the ultimate goal, but of course I understand that I am not living in a dreamland and stuff, I understand what the challenges are and how we can really step up and one day play in the IPL and stuff but I think I have that goal but I feel like I have to achieve those the smaller stuff first for me before I can think there’s no harm in thinking it’s free to dream doing this, but of course I want to make sure I’m doing the right things on this level first. There are no issues with not being where I want to be yet, I think that’s totally fine and I’m just taking each day as it comes and just making sure I’m doing the right things.
