New Delhi, April 18 (NationPress) Left-arm fast bowler Luke Wood of the Gujarat Titans expressed that the level of play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) closely resembles what players experience in international cricket. He mentioned that participating in this prestigious tournament has been a lifelong dream, second only to the honor of representing England.

"Globally, it’s well recognized that the IPL is a premier event on the cricket calendar. For me, playing in the IPL and representing a team is an incredible honor. As a child, apart from aspiring to play for England, the IPL was always on my mind," he stated.

Wood, who has played 3 ODIs and 16 T20Is for England, shared his thoughts with IANS during an exclusive interview on Saturday: "While many franchise leagues may seem alike regarding playing for new teams or with unfamiliar teammates, the quality of cricket in the IPL is at an entirely different level and is the closest to international standards you can find."

In addition to the IPL, Wood has showcased his skills in various leagues like The Hundred, Big Bash League, Bangladesh Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and ILT20. He highlighted young fast bowler Ashok Sharma as a remarkable talent and differentiated the IPL from other franchise T20 leagues.

"You could argue that at times, other leagues can be just as competitive. However, playing here offers a unique experience with different pitches and players, allowing you to witness some truly exciting young talents that can be quite astonishing," he added.

"For instance, Ashok Sharma from Rajasthan is one such emerging player, and it's refreshing to see. It’s fantastic to be back in the IPL. I enjoyed my previous stint and am eager for the remainder of the season," he noted.

Wood, who joined the GT team at last year’s auction in Abu Dhabi, is recognized for his high-pace bowling during the powerplay and serves as a potential backup for Kagiso Rabada. Since the beginning of 2025, he has been one of the most effective T20 bowlers, taking 56 wickets at an average of 24.2. He shared that his experience with GT has been smooth, crediting the franchise's culture for making him feel at home.

"Things have been great. Everything that Jos Buttler and Vikram Solanki (Director of Cricket) described before I arrived has lived up to my expectations. The organization is efficient, and they provide everything a player might need, both on and off the field," Wood remarked.

"You’re well taken care of, and as a newcomer, it’s comforting to feel right at home and integrate quickly into the team. This is thanks to their effective management, and I’m really enjoying my time here," he continued.

On the field, Wood's main asset is his ability to swing the new ball and deliver inswinging yorkers, a skill he has honed over more than a decade. He stated, "I've been doing this for a long time. Swinging the new ball has always been my forte since childhood when I started playing cricket. It has become second nature to me over the years."

However, adapting this skill to Indian conditions required some research, and he found an excellent mentor in GT head coach Ashish Nehra, a former left-arm pacer for India.

"Ash has been incredibly helpful in understanding these pitches better since I haven’t played much cricket in India. It has been beneficial. But it’s also about putting in the effort; my entire T20 career has revolved around this. I typically bowl one of the first two overs in every match, allowing me to develop a feel for it over time," he explained.

Regarding the strategy of bowling Test match-like lengths during the powerplay, Wood believes there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. He referenced the styles of fellow left-arm pacers Arshdeep Singh and Mitchell Starc as examples.

"I wouldn’t say it’s too far off from a good idea. It’s a blend of factors— the pitch conditions and the specific strengths of the bowler. You’ll often see left-arm seamers adjust their lengths based on the batter and the wicket. For instance, if Arshdeep swings the ball back, he may opt for a fuller length. Starc tends to start full as well, which aligns with the natural strengths of left-arm bowlers. Therefore, it’s about balancing between the pitch conditions and maintaining your strengths while making informed decisions on what will be effective," he explained.

Wood emphasized the importance of being in a high-pressure environment and the valuable insights available within GT’s fast bowling group both during and outside of matches.

"It’s been great to engage with various perspectives. Just as I mentioned earlier, everyone has unique viewpoints. Even our head coach, Ash, brings a wealth of knowledge as a left-arm bowler, which has been immensely beneficial for me. Whether you are playing or not, there’s still tremendous value in being part of this setup and learning from experienced bowlers. If you’re working on something specific, there’s no shortage of advice available," he stated.

He praised Nehra, likening him humorously to an animated football manager while highlighting the coach's true dedication to his players. "It’s easy to see the resemblance to a football coach. Ash has been fantastic; he’s quite the character. He genuinely wants to help players succeed, which is essential for any player. His energetic approach is simply part of who he is," Wood said.

"He’s a character—probably the best way to describe him. I can only speak highly of him; he’s been wonderful, and the players seem to resonate with him. He has a knack for bringing out the best in people. Considering GT's successful history in the competition, it’s evident he’s doing something right," he concluded.

The Gujarat Titans, IPL champions of 2022, have shown promising signs following a rocky start to the current season, achieving a hat-trick of victories. Wood is optimistic that their momentum will carry forward in their upcoming match against the Mumbai Indians, a team he played for in 2024, at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday evening.

"It’s great to build momentum. We faced a challenging start in our first couple of games. Given the team's success over the past four years, the initial performance was disappointing. However, based on our last three games, we appear to be gaining momentum, and I hope this continues," he stated.