Preity Shaun-shine
Shaun Marsh is a reluctant talker. Words don't come half as fluently as runs from his bat. But then does it matter at all, especially when his bat is doing all the talking for him.
The left-handed Australian import, who was attached to the squad at the proverbial 11th hour from Western Australia, turned out to be a hidden ace in Mohali's sleeve.
The left-hander, who made it to the playing XI only after Simon Katich and Brett Lee left, has been in a cracking form, notching up three half-centuries in five games, including two other useful contributions at a phenomenal average and strike rate. It has pushed him to the fourth place in the top run getters' chart, despite playing almost half the games from the top three run getters. A remarkable feat, indeed!
Now Marsh may be at loss for words but others aren't. "He has been in tremendous form, and is doing really well for his team. And what I have heard and seen off him in the IPL, I am sure we are going to hear a lot about him in the future," said Rahul Dravid.
Marsh, on the other hand, is still content talking about how grateful he is to be a part of this wonderful concept and experience that he thinks IPL is and how much he has learnt from playing alongside international players. "It's been a huge experience for me and I am happy that things are working out well for me. I have learnt so much from playing alongside players like Yuvraj Singh, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene and I am sure it would help me a great deal in my international career."
But how does he explain his superb run in the IPL? Is the way he is playing his normal game or has he made any adjustments to adjust to new format and alien conditions. "No, I haven't changed much about my batting. I just don't try to hit sixes as soon as I get in there, I try to occupy the crease, keep scoring, stay there as long as possible and let other guys like Yuvraj and Mahela do their stuff from the other end," said Marsh.
The left-hander also revealed that it's not been long before he started opening. "It's just six months back that I started opening in one-dayers for Western Australia and I am pretty pleased that it's come off really well," he said.
Now, as much as Shaun has made people sit up and take notice with his performance on the field, the young Australian has been startled by the attention and adulation cricketers gets here.
"It's fantastic to see cricketers mobbed almost everywhere - be it airports, hotels or anywhere else. Indians love cricket and their cricketers, it's been just fantastic to experience all this. People recognise you and are after you the moment you step out on to the street. It's tough life, but at the same time very satisfying also and one gets so much credit," said Shaun.
"I am enjoying my stay here, love people, food and culture. It would just be great if we make it to the semis and then possibly to the final," utters Shaun.