IBL final in Mumbai will be brilliant, says Hyderabad Hotshots player Ajay Jayaram

Playing the final in Mumbai, where you grew up, must be thrilling, isn’t it?
I played last in Mumbai during the league stage. It was an amazing experience. The crowd was brilliant and very supportive during my match, which I won. I am definitely looking forward to the final. Am sure it will be as brilliant. My aim is to give my 100 per cent and play my best.

You were born in Chennai, brought up in Mumbai, train in Bangalore and play for Hyderabad franchise. Which one would you call your home?
The way the crowd responded in Hyderabad (during semifinal), it has to be my home crowd. But definitely Mumbai is closest to my heart.

You have won only two matches out of five leading to the final, both coming against Tien Minh Nguyen (Pune Pistons). Is that a concern?
Not at all. My first match against Srikanth (Awadhe Warriors) did not go as I wanted. After that, it has all been upwards. I played really well against Minh the first time. Against Lee Chong Wei, I played a very good match, I could have won that. My last three matches have been very good and hope to take that form to the final as well.

How do you approach the match when you are facing the World No. 1?
Ever since the first time I played Chong Wei, my only aim is to defeat him. I have not been able to do so. Every time I played him, I have always troubled him. I have played at a good level. Am sure, as I keep going, I’ll surely get the better of him soon.

Could you pick as much as possible from Taufik Hidayat?
He has been my childhood hero. It is a little unfortunate that we don’t get to see him play that often. Even to have him as a coach has been useful. His experience and knowledge of the game is definitely vast. Some of his tips have been helpful.

Sometimes you played the first men’s singles, other times the second. Does it matter at all?
I think it is hard to say which would be better. Every time the team needs you to play, you have to. You’ve to be ready for it. This is a team championship, and there are pressures on the team. If you can manage to focus on your own match, that’s the best way you will be able to help the team. You have to just give your best once you go on the court.

Is there more pressure playing the first singles?
You could say that. I enjoyed the ones I have played, especially with the crowd support. There has not been too much pressure for me. Hope to do that in the final also.

Saina Nehwal and you are in the same team. Has it been the same playing together in international tournaments?
It is definitely quite different. Generally, in Superseries, you are not as close as when you are with the team, travelling together, rooting for one another. That way there is a big difference. Also, you never cheer for foreigners. You know them on a ‘Hi’, ‘Hello’ basis and here you are cheering for them against Indian players. It’s been good fun.

Would it be different from now on, cheering for foreigners in international tournaments?
Definitely. We have come closer as teammates. As far as playing against foreigners in international tournaments is concerned, that won’t be different. We are enemies with each other on the court.

How has the IBL experience been?
When IBL was to start, I expected it to be big. But what I got has been more than what I expected.