“You cannot control the uncontrollable” is a lesson which J&K Ranji team captain Parvez Rasool learned on the cricket field at a young age from his Guru and former India captain Bishen Singh Bedi. So when faced with a “challenging situation” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 31-year-old doesn’t want to spend time thinking about what will happen next. He rather prefers to find ways to stay fit physically and mentally and be prepared for the next innings.

“This is a challenging situation. Not only India but the whole world is struggling at the moment. The important thing in this situation is to keep yourself motivated and follow all the advisories from the government,” said Parvez, who led J&K to Ranji Trophy quarterfinals earlier this year.

Lockdowns are not new to the Valley and players from the newly carved out Union Territory have learned the art of staying ahead of the situation. “I feel players from other parts will be facing some difficulties. I won’t say we are not facing any issues, but we have become used to such situations,” he added.

The Valley had to go through a long period of restrictions post-August 5 last year, when Article 370 and 35A, which provided special status to the erstwhile state, were repealed by the Parliament. “Last year, when restrictions were imposed after August 5, we didn’t give up. We were not demoralised by the situation,” reminded Parvez, who made his India debut in 2014.

J&K were on the cusp of creating history before they lost to Karnataka in the closely contested Ranji Trophy quarterfinals in Jammu. “We played some good cricket this year. We could have even won that quarterfinal. But to give a tough fight to a team like Karnataka, which included the likes of Manish Pandey and Karun Nair, was very satisfying,” he said.

JKCA is currently run by the Committee of Administrators, comprising former Supreme Court judge Justice CK Prasad, former Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh and Allahabad High Courts Justice Syed Rafat Alam and CEO Ashiq Hussain Bukhari, former DIG, J&K Police. And Parvez felt things were changing for good as far as the state of cricket was concerned in J&K.

“Last year, every district was involved in the sport. Small camps were held in each district. Former Ranji Trophy players were sent to these camps as selectors,” he recalled. “Professional people were roped in. People like Irfan Pathan, Milap Mewada joined the team. They visited various districts, and I feel it is very motivating when an International cricketer visits your place, a person you have seen on TV… I feel it really inspires you.”

“One more important thing is the mindset and there has been a positive change on that front,” Parvez added.

The senior cricketer also pointed at the corruption that has affected the growth of the sport in J&K. “There is so much talent, but unfortunately many of them were left out in the past because of the wrong policies and corrupt practices of the people who were at the helm of affairs. People were involved in scams worth Rs 100-150 crore. But in the past two years, things have changed, a process has started.”

“This year we had 15 players in the squad and there was so much competition for every place. It was very difficult to pick the playing XI, which was not the case in the past,” said Parvez.

Talking about his own performance, Parvez said: “If you see my performance in the last five-six years, I am the first cricketer in India to score more than 300 runs and take more than 30 wickets in a season in Ranji Trophy four times. It is a record.”

“Last year, I scored 684 runs and took 35 wickets. Before that, I took 38 wickets. This year, I took 31 wickets and scored 400-plus runs in six games. Last year, I also took eight wickets and scored a 100 in the same match. Only three-four players have achieved this feat in the past. So I am pushing myself to make a comeback into the team,” recalled Parvez, who last played for India in a T20I against England in 2017.

“My Guru Bishen Singh Bedi used to tell me ‘control the controllable’. You can control only those things which are in your hand. The ones which are not in your control you cannot do anything about those things. It is in my hand to perform and I am working hard to give my best, rest is up to the selectors,” he said.

Asked how he was spending time in the lockdown, the all-rounder said: “I have a gym cycle, a cross trainer, and some other equipment at home. I also do running on my lawns. I do work on my fitness, but I don’t step out of my house. I feel it is a great time for a cricketer to pay attention to his fitness. You have to find the positives. Get the best of these times. It is very important. And as you know, these things (lockdowns) are ongoing in the Valley.”