Mohit Sharma was one of the finds of Pepsi IPL 2013. His performance with CSK last year fast-tracked him to international cricket. This IPL, the young pacer from Haryana aims to not only maintain his good first impression but also take it a step higher by maturing into a consistent T20 bowler.

Bowling on the UAE wickets for the first time, Mohit is soaking in the experience. The 25-year-old is also enjoying the company of some of his new bowling mates at CSK and is trying to make the most of their experience.

After returning figures of one for 13 in two overs in CSK’s tight seven-run win over Rajasthan Royals, in Dubai, Mohit spoke to . 

Here’s are the excerpts:

The new ball was swinging under the lights. Happy to have batted first?

Yes, but having said that, the wicket wasn’t easy to bat on from ball-one. To begin with, they bowled really well. In the second innings, it became a tad bit rougher and it wasn’t easy hitting the back-of-length ball. I thought that was one thing that worked in our advantage.

The previous two matches were high-scoring ones. As a bowler, did you find this match more exciting?

As a bowler, I am more than happy if our top five bat the opposition out of the game (smiles). But yes, you see more fight in matches like this. Also, you cannot afford to relax even for a second in such games as the pendulum can swing very quickly. You cannot be casual even for a moment.

Happy that the fielding is back to the lofty standard you guys have set for yourselves?

Yes, that’s right. We had one off day in the field, and since then, we have been hard on that aspect in the practice sessions. Steve Rixon (CSK’s fielding coach) has been hard at work with the team and the result has been showing since the last two matches.

How does it feel having another young Indian fast bowler by your side in Ishwar?

Having Ishwar in the team has been really good for me because we know each other since the Under-19 days and are good friends. We understand each other as people and bowlers. That helps us both look after each other not only off but also on the field. We can give each other valuable inputs about one another’s bowling during the match.

How has Ashish Nehra been with you guys?

Ashu bhaiya has been very involved with Ishwar and me. In the nets, after finishing his own practice, he comes and supervises our sessions and gives pretty handy advice. From his own experience he tells us what to do in specific situations and what to avoid.

How is Ben Hilfenhaus’ presence helping you?

He is a very good swing bowler and he bowls consistently at a good pace. I have been learning many things from him like how to grip the ball perfectly in order to swing it and also how to swing the old ball. He is also very good at maintaining the ball so it swings in the latter overs. 

Who is that one batsman from this CSK line-up you find most dangerous?

It is Mahi bhai. As a bowler, the first thing you are worried about is for him to hit the ball straight at you. After him, Brendon McCullum is the most dangerous.

How has your first experience been of bowling on the UAE wickets?

To be honest, it hasn’t been much different from bowling on the Indian wickets. This one, in Dubai, I found particularly similar to the ones in India. I think the key is to bowl back-of-length and stick to the basics of T20.

Do you sometimes feel like taking the Lahli wicket everywhere with you?

I actually don’t because I believe in order to be a reliable bowler, you have to be able to perform in every condition and any type of wicket. Also, even on helpful wickets, you have to run in hard and bowl well to pick wickets.