We don't need to be reminded of Mumbai cricket's legacy: Aditya Tare

How would you review Mumbai's performance as captain?
We were disappointed after losing the semis. After taking over captaincy for the first time, I saw the boys react after defeat against Tamil Nadu earlier in the season. The entire team was very hurt. Mumbai have a great history. You can't think of anything other than the title. That is the standard that has been set. And how it should be. Our aim should always be to win. We failed to be consistent. This season we performed badly, then there was a good phase followed by a great one and then we were back to ordinary. There was a time when we were fighting from being relegated. But the guys turned it around. We believed in ourselves. We believed that we would go on to win the Ranji Trophy. But in the end were disappointed. Not satisfied. Happy that we did well, but not really satisfied.

In the semifinal, Mumbai were all out for 44 in the first innings, there were questions raised over the quality of umpiring. Do you hold these umpiring howlers responsible from Mumbai's defeat against Karnataka?
We can't hold umpires responsible. We could not step up in the first innings. We knew we hadn't had a great day. In the quarterfinals against Delhi, we bounced back in the second after faltering in the first innings. But we could not learn from that. Yes, decisions did not go our way. However, you cannot blame the umpires. Robin Uthappa was given not out despite being lbw. I was given out caught behind in the first innings when I did not nick it. Had I been there, the story could have been different since Suryakumar Yadav was at the other end till the last wicket. The points at which decisions went against us in the first innings, were crucial.

How tough was it to steady the sinking ship after taking over the captaincy?
I would like to thank the coach and support staff. They supported me, giving everything that I needed. Backed me all the way and it helped me lead the side well. We were struggling, almost fighting to avoid relegation at some stage. For me every challenge is an opportunity. And I am someone who would make the most of opportunity that I get.

The team is said to have had couple of unpleasant experiences like a fight between two players and a spat between player and the manager. How did you keep the negativity out of the dressing room?
Since I took over there wasn't any negativity. I believe whatever happens in the dressing room should be private and should not come out. The trick is to manage well, sort it out and keep the negativity at bay. It was a conscious effort from the entire team, manager, coach, support staff. Every one supported each other and we started believing that we can work as a unit. We remained positive.

There were reports that you initially declined the offer to lead the side. How and why did you change your mind in the middle of the season?
None of this occurred. It was last year Sulu sir (Sulakshan Kulkarni) asked me to lead. Not this time. I had my own reasons and had conveyed them to the concerned person. This year, I had to accept it as a challenge. The coach backed me and I had to repay his faith and justify his instinct that I can lead the side. Whatever the reasons, we need to take it up. Things have changed. We were struggling and this was a challenge. A good opportunity. I believed in myself and backed my strengths.

Your form was not great earlier in the season, but once you took over as captain, you were a different batsman?
To be honest, I never thought I was out of form. I was playing a lot of balls, 100-150 balls. There were some technical issues which Praveen Amre helped me sort out. I knew my runs are going to come. Hence, I never worried about it. I was batting well but the runs weren't coming. It was a matter of believing and consitnuing with the process. I worked hard in the off season. I knew results will follow. I love leading a side. The captaincy came at the right time. Leading a side is not about thinking about your own performances. Team always comes first. My job is to get the team going and win.

Mumbai's batting was always about technique, patience and doing the basics right. Do you think the trend has changed with new breed of aggressive players like Surya Kumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer and some one like you?
Mumbai cricket has always been known for its batting and big hundreds. We know what sort of things are expected from us. The game basically has changed with T20 and IPL. Cricket i now about scoring runs and scoring them fast. You score at four plus runs per over. That's the part of the game. Strike rate is important. Shreyas Iyer or Surya have great technique. A couple of stroke players in a team will help you set the tone. The problem had nothing to do with faulty technique as we have a batting coach to help us sort it out. The issue is the lack of experience. The younger guys have done well and have shown the right attitude. Iyer has been exceptional. Siddhesh Lad and Nikhil Patil too have done well.

How much did Mumbai miss the experience of Zaheer Khan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Wasim Jaffer?
It's true you can't buy experience in market. Zak and Wasim bhai are legends. They motivate others and the players try to match up to their class. Great to have such guys around. And then there are players who go on national duty. The goal is to win without them. These things have happened in the past. Younger guys have to take up the opportunity. You can't replace big names or fill those shoes, but you can definitely use the opportunity.

How seriously do today's youngsters take Mumbai cricket's legacy — that they have 40 Ranji titles and that it has produced some of the greatest batsmen in the world?
The current team is a motivated lot. We take a lot of pride in the team's history and always want to do well which unfortunately didn't happen this season. We have the right attitude. I don't think anyone needs to remind us about the legacy as we are already motivated and know it.

Is this the team for the future?
Absolutely. Other teams like Karnataka and Maharashtra are doing well because they have the same set of boys for the past 2-3 years. If a player knows he will be given a longer run, he will be a bit more secure. For me, the right player in the team should have terrific talent with right attitude, ready to work hard, play to win and place the team before himself.

What are the areas that Mumbai needs to work on?
The team is good enough. The players should work on to improve skills and attitude. Work hard on the field. We have to improve season by season, take the negatives out and see what we have done wrong. Assess the season and improve. Groom current players and work hard on them. Then we will have our way ahead.

How tough is it to lead a side like Mumbai?
I think all the pressures, hardships are a part of the game. Accept them like a challenge. I believe and take a lot of pride as a captain and batsman for Mumbai. I have the right attitude, can take up the challenge head on when I see an opportunity.

What would be your plans for the off season?
We had a great off season last year. We worked on fitness. Shardul (Thakur) played 10 games on a trot but didn't break down. We might not be the most talented or experienced but would like to be called the most fit team in the tournament. The aim is to work hard in the off season and take the team forward.