Leg-spinners need to have a bigger heart, says Imran Tahir

Leg-spinners are known to attack and take wickets while off-spinners are more to contain the batsmen. Is there extra pressure on you in that sense?

No, I don’t think so. A leg-spinner can change the game. Like you mentioned, the off-spinner's job is to contain. Leg-spinners need to have a bigger heart than anyone else because it's easy to blame them. Now-a-days, cricket has changed. Obviously the bats are bigger, boundaries are shorter, if you know your plans, and I think as a leg spinner, if you bowl with a clear mind, I am pretty sure of success.

What do you mean with a bigger heart?

It means to back yourself, (have) clear plans, That’s the most important thing because if you are hit for two boundaries, then you try and hide, which is not the best way to go forward. Now-a-days. You rather go with an attacking mind after you are hit for a few boundaries. That’s why you need to have a bigger heart. If not, you are not going to succeed.

When batsmen go after you, you have that much more chance to succeed, don't you? Does that charge you up?

It’s a nice thing when guys charge in and try to attack you. With the variations I have, I can use them. I am quite lucky with that. But, you need to be solid with your plans.

You have an economy rate of 6.72 in T20 Internationals. Is that good or bad?

I am not sure about that. I am pleased with myself what I have achieved.

You seem to do well in ICC World events – be it the 2014 World T20 or the 2015 Cricket World Cup (50 overs). Do you approach a world event differently?

Look, it's absolute honour to play for your country in world events. It give that extra boost playing for the country. Every game I play is special. I get energy from there and that's how I have been. It's a little bit extra special, I think. Having said that, it's just another game for my country where I am looking forward to playing, and if I get the opportunity, I will play well and give my 200 per cent.

As a player, how keen are you for South Africa to do well and win that elusive World title?

We have been working really hard for the last three World cups since I have been involved. I missed one or two ICC events. When we go back after a World Cup, after losing the semifinal or quarterfinal, we will have a good peace of mind. The reason for that is we know that we have put the hard work. We are not going to predict anything. I feel good as a South African player when people say we get into semifinal and lost. But this is one of the biggest achievements – to get into semifinal. Not many teams do that. To me, that is a big achievement. Only two teams are involved. We are not looking so far. We look at every game take it from there. We work hard and we will get the results.

How helpful was last year-end's tour to India going into World T20?

It was a big help for us. We played here, so we know the conditions a little bit better. The tour went well and we won (2-0 in T20s), so that’s obviously the confidence we will take into the World T20. We have been playing good T20 cricket since last year. 

In your anxiety to celebrate even before a catch is taken off your bowling, have you faced embarrassing moments when catches were dropped?

I don't think a fielder drops it deliberately. Everything is special for me and I need to celebrate, and why not? I am not going to get an opportunity after five years. I would rather enjoy now myself as much as I can because I love the game. I don't look people drop catches as I might have dropped a few catches in my life and I never got bad comments from my players. When I am on the field, I play with passion and that’s the only thing I can say about it. I don’t care what others think. What I can give, I will be happy. I know I have given 100 per cent to my country.

There are a lot of expectations as a spinner when you come to the sub-continent. Is there added pressure in India?

I don’t think so. I can’t see any pressure on me. We have been playing cricket together. I have got good communication with captains and I am very happy. There is no pressure on me. Even if I had it, I wasn’t going to tell you. I am a free man. I am pretty happy in the space I am in.

What has been the best piece of advice you have received as far as your bowling is concerned?

I think the best advice I have been given by all the legends is just to keep it simple and be clear with plans. It is nothing like I've worked on something and they showed me how to bowl and stuff. I did talk to all the big bowlers who have been legends in their times. But I am the kind who always try to learn about my bowling. If I see the benefit coming from their advice, I will take it. If not, I just carry on with the ability I have.

Off the field, what is the wildest thing you have ever done?

It was shark-cage diving in Cape Town. It was one of the best experiences I had. It was tough, but it was lovely. We did it as a team. Unfortunately, I did not see a shark.