EX-AIR MAN GETS A WONDERFUL START FOR HIS HOME STATE
LUCKNOW: Even before playing for his own state Uttar Pradesh’s in the Ranji Trophy this season, Baghpat’s Saurabh Kumar played for Services for a full season last year after joining the Indian Air Force as an air man.
Joining Air Force was the easiest avenue to fulfil his job’s dream as he was desperate for this. A talented junior cricketer of UP, Saurabh enjoyed his brief stint there and took 17 wickets in as many as seven matches. But just before the start of the season this year, he once again switched to UP after resigning from the IAF and straight got a chance to play for the Under23 side in the CK Nayudu Trophy. His 17 wickets in just three matches for the side remains a big achievement as the defending champions failed to do even a little good this season. The biggest moment for him came just last week when he was called to join the senior side in place of Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, ahead of the match against Gujarat at Valsad. The track of Sardar Patel Stadium gave a perfect start to his career for UP as he snapped 10-wickets in his debut. The 22-year-old all-rounder, who now lives in Meerut, did justice with willow also, making major contributions in the lower order before scalping five wickets in the second innings too. This, however, helped Uttar Pradesh score their second successive outright win in the season, beating Parthiv Patel-led Gujarat by 155 runs on Sunday. Saurabh’s 10-wicket match haul was a repeat of former seamer Sudeep Tyagi’s fascinating performance in his debut match, when he also had 10 wickets against hosts Odisha in 2007 at Cuttack.
“I was sure of good bowling when he came to bat for the side in the first innings as ball was turning a bit even on the first day, but the important things was to identify the right spot for this,” an elated Saurbah told HT soon after celebrating his maiden 10-wicket haul in Ranji Trophy.
“When I was asked to bowl the second over in Gujarat’s innings, I too was pretty sure of a good bowling, but never expected to have five wicket again,” said Saurabh, who had opener P Panchal (0) on his very first ball. Skipper Eklavya Dwivedi, who led the side to back-to-back win after a long time during the last 10 years, praised everyone for the rare success. “Well done boys. This is how I can define this win as beating hosts in their own den is never easy. We excelled in all departments and I do admire the bowling of Praveen Kumar and Saurabh Kumar, who did superbly,” said Eklavya.
Meanwhile, team sources confirmed that a ‘pep talk’ by a UP Cricket Association’s official to the players, including team management officials, helped UP did well in the last two matches, including the tie against Gujarat at Valsad on Sunday.
There were reports of ‘difference of opinions between a senior player and a team official. But the UPCA officials not only ‘sorted out’ the difference between the two, but motivated the side to look for positive things.