Pawan Negi: Daniel Vettori inspired me to do well

Pawan Negi, the slow left-arm orthodox, took a five-wicket haul to help Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders and win the coveted CLT20 title. The star performer attributed his success to his stint with the Chennai unit. Negi also said that he was inspired by Daniel Vettori.

In the CLT20 final, Negi beat the likes of Robin Uthappa, Jacques Kallis, Ryan ten Doeschate with his flight and guile on his way to a memorable spell in only his second match of the tournament.

"It really was a perfect night for me. I never thought I would get to play the game in the first place but looking at the pitch, coach (Stephen Fleming) decided to field me and I am glad I could repay the faith," the Delhi-born Negi told PTI after returning home from Bangalore.

It was a remarkable showing from the 21-year-old medium pacer turned spinner considering the limited opportunities he got during Chennai's campaign, in the presence of established Indian tweakers like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

"There are not a lot of people in Delhi with whom I can discuss my bowling. That way spending time with Jaddu bhai (Jadeja) and Ashwin bhai in the nets proved quite helpful, even when was not getting a game. I was told by coach Fleming to be ready for my chance. He said it could come anytime," the diminutive cricketer said.

Negi also said that spending a season with the mighty Chennai set-up has lifted his game by leaps and bounds. He said, "Initially, I was nervous with Dhoni bhai, Fleming, Andy Bichel (bowling coach) and other big names around. However, now, I am okay with the dressing room atmosphere, it feels like family. Overall it has been a thorough learning experience."

"You don't get to bowl to top-quality batsmen that often in domestic cricket as you do in IPL and CLT20," he added. While Jadeja and Ashwin are known to use a lot of variations, Negi keeps it simple. He made it a point to bowl slower through the air and fox the batsmen in the flight.

"That is how I have always liked to bowl and will continued to do so. The pitch in the final offered assistance and things went as per plan," Negi concluded.