"Our lives were affected during the floods. There was no practise facilities available and these are adverse situations. Let me tell you, we are the only state that will technically play eight away games instead of four home and four away. Tough situations make people tougher. That's exactly is the recipe of our success," Rasool told PTI in an exclusive interview.
Although Sunil Joshi is the new coach, Rasool didn't forget to mention legendary Bishan Singh Bedi's contribution in Jammu and Kashmir's emergence as a promising cricket state.
"It was Bedi sir who told us that there is nothing called strong and weak on a cricket field. The upward graph of J&K cricket started with Bedi sir's arrival. Our quarter-final appearance in the Ranji Trophy last season, is a testimony that this victory is not a one-off thing. Even in Vijay Hazare we won t
Rasool was particularly touched when chairman of national selectors Sandeep Patil called upto congratulate the team.
"Sandeep sir called up and congratulated the whole team for our victory. He is himself a Mumbai legend and it was a proud moment for all of us. A lot of people don't know that our team practised in the pre-season at the facilities of Vidarbha Cricket Association. But staying together in the pre-season helped in team bonding," said Rasool.