I just need one big season to turn it around: Himmat Singh

Premier Delhi batsman Himmat Singh recently led the East Delhi Riders to victory at the inaugural season of the Delhi Premier League T20 (DPL), making significant contributions with the bat. He scored 381 runs, including four half-centuries, which made him the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament. This success has invigorated the 27-year-old right-hander, who enjoyed his best Ranji Trophy season last year during his sixth appearance in the tournament. Despite Delhi narrowly missing out on knockout round qualification under his captaincy, he is expected to be retained. As the 2024-25 season approaches, Himmat is brimming with confidence, viewing this as a make-or-break year for his career.

Excerpts:

The 2024-25 season has begun on a positive note for you. How do you feel about that?

It’s great that the DPL came before the Ranji Trophy season. It was a really competitive tournament with the top players from Delhi going head-to-head. Scoring runs and winning the title have definitely boosted my confidence. Now, I just want to carry that momentum into the domestic season.

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How satisfied are you with your individual performance in the DPL?

As a batsman and as a human being, I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied with what I have done. You always strive to do more. My aim was always to help the team win the DPL, and the team did it. So, I think I’ve done a good job. I would have loved to get a big innings in the knockout round as well.

How did you spend the summer preparing for the upcoming 2024-25 season?

I played professionally for Seahawks in the Chennai League, which significantly aided my preparation for multi-day matches. I’ve also been training and developing new skills, particularly in areas where I previously wasn’t scoring. While many may not notice these changes, I’ve started finding more boundaries and gaps in the field.

Did your work on developing new skills prove beneficial during the DPL?

Yes, definitely. I felt great during the tournament. Focusing on finding gaps made the game seem much easier, and I keep wondering why I hadn’t played in those areas before. It makes a significant difference. I believe it’s essential to add something new to your game each year, and that’s what I’m striving to do.

How do you think these adjustments will impact your performance in the upcoming season?

I believe these adjustments will be beneficial, as players often strategise against me based on where I score runs, leaving gaps elsewhere. If I can exploit those openings, it will pose a challenge for them. Although I don’t want to reveal too much now, I hope you’ll notice the difference soon.

How would you assess your preparation for the longer format Ranji Trophy by playing in a shorter format, i.e. DPL?

For a long time, everyone was saying why DPL was not happening. Yes, Ranji Trophy is the first tournament that will be played [after Duleep Trophy] this season, and not the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. But I don’t think it has anything to do with the DDCA conducting the DPL, and our preparations are going on right now. Since the end of the DPL, we have been in camps and working on our red ball skills.

What specific aspects of your batting did you focus on refining during the DPL?

My goal was to score runs in every game, and I think I’ve done that consistently. I didn’t want to do it sporadically. Once I gained form, I held onto it. I keep telling myself that’s what I need to do in the upcoming season. Hopefully, it’ll work for me.

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You’ve now played six first-class seasons, with two being affected by Covid. How do you assess your progress as you begin your seventh season?

I believe I could have performed better, but I’ve learned from my mistakes. I’m hopeful that I can turn things around. My dream has always been to represent my country, and I aim to achieve that through hard work and dedication.

How do you view the upcoming 2024-25 season in terms of its importance for your career, especially considering the competition for middle-order spots in higher teams?

If I think about others, I’ll only add pressure on myself. I just want to perform well in every match and make every season count. I play at a level where every innings matters, and you never know where one good knock could take you. I think I’ve played some very good innings for Delhi and helped the team win a lot of matches. But I know I need to do better and work on the areas where I’ve lacked. Yes, I just need that one big season that becomes a turning point in my career.

Which position do you prefer batting at — No. 4 or No. 5 — in the longer format?

No. 4. I’ve always told my coaches that I don’t have a specific batting order. I’m a batsman, and my job is to score runs, no matter where I bat. If they feel a certain number is the toughest, they can send me there, and I’ll try to do the job.

You handle pressure situations well. How do you stay calm at the crease?

I just try to motivate myself. When I walk in to bat, I tell myself that ‘this is your platform; it’s a tailor-made situation.’ I tell myself, ‘now it’s your time to do it for your team.’ I just want to showcase my skills, and that keeps me focused. I trust myself and have faith in my ability.