Danish Kaneria is special talent with a unique identity. A young leg-spinner of immense promise, he is a Hindu who is proud to be a Pakistani. His Test debut in 2000 against England was also the hundredth test of the legendry Wasim Akram.

Early days
I started playing cricket when I was pretty young. At the age of 13 or 14, I joined the annual camp of my school. One of my uncles Kawas Mulla was the first to recognize the potential in me. He supported me and kept saying to my family that I would make my way to the top level. Honestly, I could not even imagine of doing so because my fitness was not great, “I was short and I was very fat”.

One of Danish’s maternal uncles Anil Dulpat has played test cricket for Pakistan. On a question Danish categorically rejected the claim that Anil helped him. Danish further said Anil had nothing to do with it, “whatever I am right now is just because of the support of my family and off course my own hard work”.

The remarks of Kawas uncle motivated me, and soon after I joined a club to improve my fitness, and by the help of Mahindar bhai (the owner of the club) I bettered my physical fitness. I used to return from school in the afternoon, and after having a nap, I used to reach the club and keep practicing for hours, the love for the game started developing in me.

Why you chose to become a leg spinner?
Well, my club coach asked me to bowl and I delivered it like a leg-spinner and more importantly it turned somehow. Mahindar Bhai then declared that I could become a good wrist spinner. Afterwards, with the help of videos of the legendry Abdul Qadir I started working on the art regularly. I was a big fan of Abdul Qadir because in those days there was no Shane Warne or Mushtaq Ahmed. Abdul Qadir brought leg-spin back into the cricket arena. I admired his bowling and he had the batsmen dancing all over the place. Mind you folks, leg-spin is difficult as compare to the off-spin. Regular practice is essential, as it needs a lot of wrist work.

Entry into the first class circuit
I started from school then joined a local minority club and finally selected for Pakistan under-19 in 1997. My performance in the first season I played was not good enough, I in fact was worried, however I didn’t give up hope and returned next year with greater zeal and by the grace of God I performed very well and declared best bowler in the competition. Afterward I toured with Pakistan ‘A’ teams – performing extremely well.

Playing for Pakistan
It was a dream came true, I got a chance to represent my country at the age of 19 in 2000, but I was dropped after one series. It was obviously depressing meanwhile Rashid Latif established his academy in Karachi. I am a huge fan of Rashid, he too is a God gifted individual. I joined the academy and with some valuable tips from Rashid bhai I was able to make a comeback in the side.

You are regularly featuring in the Pakistan Test team but don’t get in the one-day side why do you think that is?
As a bowler we get very good wickets in five-day games however in one-day games as an attacking leg-spin bowler we not only take wickets but give some runs as well, and one-day cricket is a containing game. Even leg-spinners can contain runs but the theory with Pakistan seems to be that leg-spinners are for Test matches but not one-day games. They prefer an all-rounder but I feel genuine bowler would be handy when you are facing a quality batting lineup. I would love to play in both forms of the game, and hoping they will start to play me in both forms.

How did your move to Essex come about?
I first heard that Essex were interested in me when I was in England touring with Pakistan last year. Ronnie Irani the captain asked former Pakistan Coach Javed Miandad and former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif about me. They promoted me and told them I was a good lad and a promising bowler. Andy Flower was also very much in favour of me because he had batted against me for Zimbabwe and it all started from there really. Kaneria, who took 63 wickets for Essex in 11 County Championship matches, said playing county cricket taught me a lot, frequent changes in climate force you to adjust quickly and in doing so you got a chance to learn quickly. I have a two year contract with Essex, and my first stint was good I was the third highest wicket taker there.

You played against Shane Warne in the county championship how was that experience?
Shane Warne is the best leg-spinner of the modern era. Prior to the match local newspapers started comparing me and Warne, writing that it would be a competition between two champions. Anyway I didn’t agree with them as I don’t consider my self at par with Shane. However, God helped me in the county-match and I took 12 wickets while Warne claimed just 2.

Many bowlers these days claiming to have a unique ball in their armory, what your thoughts on that?
Look, I don’t take it more than a psychological thing. Nothing much is done except a slight change in your routine bowling style. For example if you bowl wider of the stumps, you started coming a bit closer, or angle of the arm while delivering is changed slightly.

Introduction of cricket academies in Pakistan
This trend is indeed very good for the sport in the country. I recon today’s youngsters are lucky to have such amenities, these boys should not waste their time in the academies, try and learn as much as they can from the seniors. Secondly these academies are correcting basics because when a young boy reaches at the top level, the time to mold his technique had already passed hence he faces difficulty in retaining consistency. Well, if I ever got a chance to serve in an academy, surely I would go for it. If god blessed you then you should pass it on.

Why Pakistan team is not performing consistently?
As I said earlier, everyone needs a consistent chance and Pakistan team is in a rebuilding process, as soon as they establish they would start winning again.

Ideal Bowler
Abdul Qadir, I grew up watching him, I have met him a couple of time and asked for some tips. Simultaneously I feel asking too much could also puzzle you at times, therefore I just asked them the basics, and then applied it in my own way.

Turning point
I made a comeback against Bangladesh in Multan test match. Rashid Latif was my captain then. He gave me a confidence and with the support of Rashid and Coach Javed Miandad I was able to finish with 12 wickets in the match. This match I think was a turning point in my career after that I started feeling that I can survive at the top level.

Message for youngsters
They should concentrate on one sport at a time. Whether they do bowling, batting or fielding do it with heart. As a leg-spinner I must advice them a 3 to 4 hours bowling session in the nets.


Interviewed By: Asif Khan & Irfan Mughal