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Interview with Nalin Patel
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29 May 2017 - interview conducted at the America's Cup in Canada.
Nalin is an Indian born UK based Billiards Professional who has been playing on the Professional Billiards circuit for 30 years. He still has the game and the passion to be in the top echelon of players worldwide. He is widely respected for his gracious behaviour and sportsmanship. He was born on 29 March 1959.
Billiards Australia: Nalin, tell us about growing up in Mumbai.
Nalin: It was fun. Mumbai was not nearly as crowded and busy as it is today and my family were reasonably well off so I was sent to a good school where there was a mix of education and exposure to sport. One of my best friends growing up was Ravi Shastri who went on to Captain India at Cricket. We are great friends to this day. Ravi was a genuine all-rounder while I was a more specialised batsman. I captained our senior team at school and later at college. Ravi went on to captain India.
Billiards Australia: What was your first exposure to cue sports?
Nalin: At school there was a small billiards table and Ravi and I used to miss classes to knock the balls around. Ravi became a top class cricketer but I always won on the billiards table. I think there is a natural affinity amongst all ball sports. Sportsmen are sportsmen.
Billiards Australia: When did you start getting serious about the game and who was your first coach?
Nalin: My first coach was Wilson Jones. He was Anglo-Indian and he was India’s first world champion in any sport after the nation was formed in 1947. He was a big celebrity in India and we were very fortunate indeed that he was able to coach a group of young players including myself, Subash Agarawal, Devendra Joshi, O.B, Agarawal, Ashok Shandilya and others. Many of us went on to represent India and in my case the UK as well. That was around 1975 when I was 16, but then took a break from the game to complete my studies before returning more seriously at age 25.
Billiards Australia: How long did it take before you made our first century?
Nalin: Perhaps 2 to 3 years
Billiards Australia: As a young player who were your heroes?
Nalin: Well my coach Wilson Jones of course but also Michael Ferreira who was the world champion by then and of course Geet Sethi
Billiards Australia: Any favourites amongst the non-Indian players?
Nalin: Well Walter Lindrum naturally. Can you imagine running the balls around the table with cannons? He must have been a Magician. Sadly I did not see him play. In later years after I got to meet and play against some of the great English player and greatly admire the games of Chris Schutt, Peter Gilchrist and of course Mike Russell. Mike’s touch at the top is what I aspire to.
Billiards Australia: Who do you most like to watch?
Nalin: Mike Russell. No one comes close to him on control of the floating white.
Billiards Australia: At what age did you emigrate to the UK.
Nalin: 43. My Dad had an English passport so when the family travelled I was on a British passport, when I got older I was given my own. I had visited the UK many times before living there. Back then India did not allow dual citizenship and even now there is a system which recognises that I am an overseas based Indian national but I am not allowed to buy agricultural land or equipment.
Now I live in both countries but am not allowed to represent India in billiards.
Billiards Australia: To our Australian readers it will sound strange that you are not permitted to represent the country of your birth.
Nalin: Yes I understand. In fact I did represent India many times until 1998. At that time there were a series of 4 selection camps to determine the team for the Asian Games. India was taking the top 4 players and after the selections I was ranked number 3. Just days before we were due to fly out I was told that I would not be able to represent India. It was a great disappointment at the time.
Billiards Australia: Was there some change in policy?
Nalin: There was a big change when money started to come into the sport in 1996. It became important for players livelihoods to be recognised by the state and national bodies. Those selection spots became highly valued as the state was sponsoring medal winners and India was a warm favourite to secure medals in Billiards in the Asian games. You become a hero if you win medals.
Many players were given 2 bedroom apartments for good performances, other players were given cash awards from the State governments and the national government.
Billiards Australia: So it was not in the other players interests to speak up in support of your right to play?
Nalin: I am not saying that but I do recall that Geet Sethi was a great supporter of mine and I remain grateful to him for that support. Geet is a fine gentleman of the sport.
Billiards Australia: How many cues have your owned?
Nalin: Only 3, a 1 piece without a badge, then a ¾ cut Thurston’s cue made to my specification and now a 2 piece half cut David Coutts cue. This is the one I use for travel as it packs neatly into my suitcase and is cheaper to travel with and less prone to getting lost. I have always played with Ash cues.
Billiards Australia: Are you still improving?
Nalin: Yes absolutely, but there are a few things holding me back from putting in the hours I would like. In London where I spend most time Snooker Rooms are closing down because of the real estate prices. To practice I have to travel and that takes time. Three rooms have closed down in my local area in the last 2 years. Also I have chronic back issues which prevent me putting in the long hours of my youth.
Billiards Australia: What aspects of your game are you working on?
Nalin: Top of the Table. Unless you are playing good Top you cannot win at this level.
Billiards Australia: What is the weakest part of your game?
Nalin: Potting, especially potting at Top. Like many players I seem to break down on the pot.
Billiards Australia: What is the strongest part of your game?
Nalin: Red ball play, the losers. I have good control of pace which is important in red ball loser play.
Billiards Australia: How do you prepare mentally?
Nalin: Sleep, get a good night’s sleep so you can focus when you need to. Don’t think ahead, remain focused on the shot in front of you.
Billiards Australia: Do you have any superstitions or religious charms?
Nalin: I am generally not a religious person. I have no superstitions but when I do pray it is to the Lord Ganesha.
Billiards Australia: What is your personal and playing philosophy?
Nalin: Don’t hurt or cheat anyone. Don’t become involved in things that are not your own business.
Billiards Australia: Are Billiards players born or made?
Nalin: You need talent. All the practice in the world will not help if you are not a ball sport kind of person. You can work on it but unless you have the gift then you will quickly reach your limit. It is impossible to separate hard work from talent. You need talent, work and most importantly good coaching always.
Billiards Australia: Who is the most naturally gifted cueist you have seen?
Nalin: Mike Russell and at Snooker Ronnie
Billiards Australia: Highest break?
Nalin: 545 in Sydney against David Collins at the Mounties Club around 2002 I think.
Billiards Australia: So pleasant memories of Australia?
Nalin: Oh yes, I have enjoyed travelling and playing in several places in Australia. I played at the Venue in Adelaide, at RACV Club in Melbourne where my long-time friend Robby Foldvari is the coach and at the Mounties Club in Sydney. It is one of my favourite places to visit and play. I am also very comfortable in the UK having played and lived there over the years.
Billiards Australia: What is your favourite non-cue sport?
Nalin: Easy, cricket of course. I am a big fan of your Ian Chappell and very jealous that Rob Hall got to meet him. I missed Ian by a couple of days in Mumbai recently when he came to our club, the Bombay Gymkhana. You guys must introduce me if you can.
Billiards Australia: Are you enjoying this tournament in Canada?
Nalin: Yes of course they are great hosts and really look after the players and the tables are amongst the best I have ever played.
Billiards Australia: What is you preferred format of play?
Nalin: Long format, ideally timed format but anything long. It is where you see the big breaks and where the top players can really show what they can do. It is the true test of ability. We grew up playing 2, 3 and 4 hour matches and where we got to see Geet Sethi at his best.
Billiards Australia: Nalin you seem to play at a consistent pace in all your matches, unhurried but always moving.
Nalin: Tempo and rhythm are very important. You need to your internal rhythm, then you cannot be put off by someone else changing the pace of play.
Billiards Australia: How do you deal with slow players?
Nalin: It can be frustrating but the important thing is to not fall behind. Slow play is not a weapon if you are leading, so focus on getting a solid start to a match and then you can dictate the speed of play.
Billiards Australia: What do you think about sitting in the chair?
Nalin: I don’t let emotion enter my head. I focus on the balls and the table, watching what the cloth is doing, if there are any rolls or inconsistencies. It is a form of meditation.
Billiards Australia: What is your take on the current IBSF and WBL dispute?
Nalin: No comment, but I do wish that they could come together to create a unified series that all players can play in. As players we want to be playing the best always.
Billiards Australia: How long do you intend to keep playing?
Nalin: Forever. Why stop if you are enjoying it.
Nalin is an Indian born UK based Billiards Professional who has been playing on the Professional Billiards circuit for 30 years. He still has the game and the passion to be in the top echelon of players worldwide. He is widely respected for his gracious behaviour and sportsmanship. He was born on 29 March 1959.
Billiards Australia: Nalin, tell us about growing up in Mumbai.
Nalin: It was fun. Mumbai was not nearly as crowded and busy as it is today and my family were reasonably well off so I was sent to a good school where there was a mix of education and exposure to sport. One of my best friends growing up was Ravi Shastri who went on to Captain India at Cricket. We are great friends to this day. Ravi was a genuine all-rounder while I was a more specialised batsman. I captained our senior team at school and later at college. Ravi went on to captain India.
Billiards Australia: What was your first exposure to cue sports?
Nalin: At school there was a small billiards table and Ravi and I used to miss classes to knock the balls around. Ravi became a top class cricketer but I always won on the billiards table. I think there is a natural affinity amongst all ball sports. Sportsmen are sportsmen.
Billiards Australia: When did you start getting serious about the game and who was your first coach?
Nalin: My first coach was Wilson Jones. He was Anglo-Indian and he was India’s first world champion in any sport after the nation was formed in 1947. He was a big celebrity in India and we were very fortunate indeed that he was able to coach a group of young players including myself, Subash Agarawal, Devendra Joshi, O.B, Agarawal, Ashok Shandilya and others. Many of us went on to represent India and in my case the UK as well. That was around 1975 when I was 16, but then took a break from the game to complete my studies before returning more seriously at age 25.
Billiards Australia: How long did it take before you made our first century?
Nalin: Perhaps 2 to 3 years
Billiards Australia: As a young player who were your heroes?
Nalin: Well my coach Wilson Jones of course but also Michael Ferreira who was the world champion by then and of course Geet Sethi
Billiards Australia: Any favourites amongst the non-Indian players?
Nalin: Well Walter Lindrum naturally. Can you imagine running the balls around the table with cannons? He must have been a Magician. Sadly I did not see him play. In later years after I got to meet and play against some of the great English player and greatly admire the games of Chris Schutt, Peter Gilchrist and of course Mike Russell. Mike’s touch at the top is what I aspire to.
Billiards Australia: Who do you most like to watch?
Nalin: Mike Russell. No one comes close to him on control of the floating white.
Billiards Australia: At what age did you emigrate to the UK.
Nalin: 43. My Dad had an English passport so when the family travelled I was on a British passport, when I got older I was given my own. I had visited the UK many times before living there. Back then India did not allow dual citizenship and even now there is a system which recognises that I am an overseas based Indian national but I am not allowed to buy agricultural land or equipment.
Now I live in both countries but am not allowed to represent India in billiards.
Billiards Australia: To our Australian readers it will sound strange that you are not permitted to represent the country of your birth.
Nalin: Yes I understand. In fact I did represent India many times until 1998. At that time there were a series of 4 selection camps to determine the team for the Asian Games. India was taking the top 4 players and after the selections I was ranked number 3. Just days before we were due to fly out I was told that I would not be able to represent India. It was a great disappointment at the time.
Billiards Australia: Was there some change in policy?
Nalin: There was a big change when money started to come into the sport in 1996. It became important for players livelihoods to be recognised by the state and national bodies. Those selection spots became highly valued as the state was sponsoring medal winners and India was a warm favourite to secure medals in Billiards in the Asian games. You become a hero if you win medals.
Many players were given 2 bedroom apartments for good performances, other players were given cash awards from the State governments and the national government.
Billiards Australia: So it was not in the other players interests to speak up in support of your right to play?
Nalin: I am not saying that but I do recall that Geet Sethi was a great supporter of mine and I remain grateful to him for that support. Geet is a fine gentleman of the sport.
Billiards Australia: How many cues have your owned?
Nalin: Only 3, a 1 piece without a badge, then a ¾ cut Thurston’s cue made to my specification and now a 2 piece half cut David Coutts cue. This is the one I use for travel as it packs neatly into my suitcase and is cheaper to travel with and less prone to getting lost. I have always played with Ash cues.
Billiards Australia: Are you still improving?
Nalin: Yes absolutely, but there are a few things holding me back from putting in the hours I would like. In London where I spend most time Snooker Rooms are closing down because of the real estate prices. To practice I have to travel and that takes time. Three rooms have closed down in my local area in the last 2 years. Also I have chronic back issues which prevent me putting in the long hours of my youth.
Billiards Australia: What aspects of your game are you working on?
Nalin: Top of the Table. Unless you are playing good Top you cannot win at this level.
Billiards Australia: What is the weakest part of your game?
Nalin: Potting, especially potting at Top. Like many players I seem to break down on the pot.
Billiards Australia: What is the strongest part of your game?
Nalin: Red ball play, the losers. I have good control of pace which is important in red ball loser play.
Billiards Australia: How do you prepare mentally?
Nalin: Sleep, get a good night’s sleep so you can focus when you need to. Don’t think ahead, remain focused on the shot in front of you.
Billiards Australia: Do you have any superstitions or religious charms?
Nalin: I am generally not a religious person. I have no superstitions but when I do pray it is to the Lord Ganesha.
Billiards Australia: What is your personal and playing philosophy?
Nalin: Don’t hurt or cheat anyone. Don’t become involved in things that are not your own business.
Billiards Australia: Are Billiards players born or made?
Nalin: You need talent. All the practice in the world will not help if you are not a ball sport kind of person. You can work on it but unless you have the gift then you will quickly reach your limit. It is impossible to separate hard work from talent. You need talent, work and most importantly good coaching always.
Billiards Australia: Who is the most naturally gifted cueist you have seen?
Nalin: Mike Russell and at Snooker Ronnie
Billiards Australia: Highest break?
Nalin: 545 in Sydney against David Collins at the Mounties Club around 2002 I think.
Billiards Australia: So pleasant memories of Australia?
Nalin: Oh yes, I have enjoyed travelling and playing in several places in Australia. I played at the Venue in Adelaide, at RACV Club in Melbourne where my long-time friend Robby Foldvari is the coach and at the Mounties Club in Sydney. It is one of my favourite places to visit and play. I am also very comfortable in the UK having played and lived there over the years.
Billiards Australia: What is your favourite non-cue sport?
Nalin: Easy, cricket of course. I am a big fan of your Ian Chappell and very jealous that Rob Hall got to meet him. I missed Ian by a couple of days in Mumbai recently when he came to our club, the Bombay Gymkhana. You guys must introduce me if you can.
Billiards Australia: Are you enjoying this tournament in Canada?
Nalin: Yes of course they are great hosts and really look after the players and the tables are amongst the best I have ever played.
Billiards Australia: What is you preferred format of play?
Nalin: Long format, ideally timed format but anything long. It is where you see the big breaks and where the top players can really show what they can do. It is the true test of ability. We grew up playing 2, 3 and 4 hour matches and where we got to see Geet Sethi at his best.
Billiards Australia: Nalin you seem to play at a consistent pace in all your matches, unhurried but always moving.
Nalin: Tempo and rhythm are very important. You need to your internal rhythm, then you cannot be put off by someone else changing the pace of play.
Billiards Australia: How do you deal with slow players?
Nalin: It can be frustrating but the important thing is to not fall behind. Slow play is not a weapon if you are leading, so focus on getting a solid start to a match and then you can dictate the speed of play.
Billiards Australia: What do you think about sitting in the chair?
Nalin: I don’t let emotion enter my head. I focus on the balls and the table, watching what the cloth is doing, if there are any rolls or inconsistencies. It is a form of meditation.
Billiards Australia: What is your take on the current IBSF and WBL dispute?
Nalin: No comment, but I do wish that they could come together to create a unified series that all players can play in. As players we want to be playing the best always.
Billiards Australia: How long do you intend to keep playing?
Nalin: Forever. Why stop if you are enjoying it.
