My perspective changed after playing in CSK alongside MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina: Pawan Negi

New Delhi: Pawan Negi, who has been included in Team India squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, was pleasantly surprised after getting the news of his maiden national call-up on Monday.

"I will not say that I am shocked as I have been performing well in the limited-overs format. But it would be wrong to say that I am not surprised as I did not expect to get a chance in a squad which has won a T20 series 3-0.

“Now that I am in the team, I would like to make full use of the opportunity if I happen to get a game, It is difficult to expect that selectors would ring in changes when an Indian cricket team wins a series 3-0 on Australian soil," Negi was quoted as saying in PTI.

Delhi-born Negi, first came into the limelight after his match-winning performance for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2014 Champions League T20 final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he scalped five wickets to win the Man of the Match award.

The 23-year-old youngster has high regards for India's limited-overs skipper MS Dhoni as he added: “When you get a supportive captain who tells you not to be frightened after being hit for six, your confidence automatically increases. In the Chennai Super Kings dressing room, Dhoni bhai would tell me exactly what his plan was for a particular batsman. In his mind, he is so clear as to what he wants from his bowler. I believe post my stint with CSK, my clarity about my own bowling has increased."

Negi, who performed decently in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by accumulating 173 runs and six wickets for Delhi, also disclosed that his perspective as a cricketer changed after he got a chance to play alongside veterans like Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Brendon McCullum.

"I know fully well as to what I should be expecting. My job is to remain ready and soak in as much information as possible as there are so many great players in that dressing room. I think my perspective as a cricketer has changed after I got a chance to play for Chennai Super Kings alongside MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Brendon McCullum," said Negi.

(With Agency inputs)