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New Delhi, 19 February (HS). Playing the waiting game is nothing new for West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd. However he did not have to wait too long to make an impact in the Bangladesh Premier League, taking three wickets and scoring 66 not out against Rangpur Riders in his debut match for Chattogram Challengers, but when he played in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League If he joins Mumbai Indians (MI), he might get less opportunities.
Shepherd played three matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad last season before being picked up by Lucknow Supergiants, but got only one match. This time, given the firepower already present in the MI setup, his chances of being included in the playing eleven in the IPL are very slim. The 29-year-old Guyanese cricketer will have to bide his time and he is quite aware of it as he prepares to join one of the biggest franchises in the IPL.
“I know how to wait because I've been waiting for a very long time in the West Indies and any team, and I really know how to stay on the bench and do my job,” Shepherd told Cricbuzz on Sunday. How to be happy for your friends. It's up to the coach and basically the franchise and whoever selects the team because they know what they need against each team and so my style of play is different from Hardik and Coetzee and basically this team. Depends on what style she decides on. They need that day and if everyone is doing well then they will wait for their turn.”
He said, “Mumbai has been a really big franchise. Wherever you go in the world, people will talk about Mumbai or Chennai as the biggest franchises. For me, playing for one of the biggest franchises in the world is a big step in my career. They are one of the most famous franchises as well as one of the most respected franchises. I want to keep working which is actually why they picked me for the team. I will try to do well in Mumbai because this is a franchise I always wanted to use and represent.”
Shepherd stressed that he will not think too much about when he will get his chance, but will instead focus on being ready at all times so that he can take advantage of the opportunity whenever it comes. He said, “For me basically it is a long tournament (IPL) and so you are away from your family things and sometimes it can be stressful and it is good to play in the IPL. The franchise always keeps you engaged and you get everything you need.”
Let us tell you that BCCI has not yet released the schedule and fixtures of IPL 2024, but the upcoming edition of the tournament is sure to clash with the general elections.