IPL 2014 stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore will help, believes Tanmay Mishra

The India-born Kenyan batsman has fond memories of playing in the Chinnaswamy stadium.

Bangalore: Apr 11, 2014

Mumbai-born Kenyan cricketer Tanmay Mishra knows that it will be an arduous task to break into the playing XI of the Royal Challengers Bangalore but is hopeful that it will be a great learning experience from him.

“I am very excited when I was picked by RCB. I knew I am going into a team with full of world-class players. It is a good opportunity for me to learn and improve my game and give my hundred per cent and enjoy this moment,” he said in an interview to RCB‘s official website.

Mishra, who made his ODI debut for Kenya in 2006 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, recalled his a gritty 72 runs knock against Australia in 2011 World Cup match at Chinnaswamy.

“In 2011, probably one of the best nights I have had in my life when I got an opportunity to play against Australia and I did quite well. Yes, this ground holds for me special memories,” he said.

Mishra, in company with Collins Obuya, had shared a 115-run partnership after Kenya suffered early jolts while chasing a 325-run target set by Australia. Kenya lost the match as they could score only 264 in 50 overs.

“To be very honest even in 2007 when Afro-Asia Cup was introduced, I had captained the T20 squad. That was my first fond memories of Chinnaswamy stadium,” he added.

Replying to a query, Mishra said there is no comparison between India and Kenya in terms of standard of cricket and the sheer passion people have towards the sport.

“The culture is different when we play cricket in Kenya.

It is laidback and the competition is not as much as when you compare it to the test playing nations. To be fair, you cannot really compare India with Kenya,” he said.

Mishra, a right-handed aggressive middle-order batsman, said the Indians take the sport seriously and is intense which has motivated him to improve his cricket.

“The culture over here is that cricket is very passionate. People love their game and it is very intense. So there was urge for me to improve cricket every day and that’s what keeps motivating me everyday to play this game,” he said.