Cricket is my passion and batting is my soul. If I will not become an Engineer, I will have to become a cricketer. When and where cricket sparked my imagination, I don't know, but I can relate to cricket just like I can relate to my food. My first tryst with cricket was galli cricket. I still remember the day my dad got me my first cricket kit, a plastic one though. We brothers went to galli and invited everyone to join us for a game of cricket. My mom was furious because of that gift, but believe me I was very happy. The day I hit my first six, I knew thats the way to live life. And the same day I took my first wicket , The desire to become a cricketer was born in my heart.
Cricket is food for my body and I have nourished my body by spending long hours at nets and watching game for entire length. I can still remember those early days, days of Mohindar Amarnath show and watching the matches of Sachin Tendulkar. A show which has taught me my batting skills. My constant dedication with the show and shadow practice fructified in form of my first half century against rival friends. That Innings of grit and determination cemented my faith in cricket and I can do it approach in my life.
My first big break came when I was 14 year old. I was selected for district level tournament by my school coach and I was very delighted to be away from home and giving a big performance. Though I didnt make a big score in that tournament but bowled very well, the memories of first robbery of my luggage and road side dhabba are etched in my memory. After this disappointing performance, I decided to go for proper coaching, but my family didnt allow me to go for it and my cricketer friends were banished from entering my house. As per my family rules,
Padoge likhoge to banoge Nawab.....kheloge kudoge to ho jaoge kharab.
Well, I subjugated to this philosophy, performed to the expectations of my family, but I couldnt abjure the lust of cricket. I tried reinventing myself every time I was bogged down with faliures by playing cricket. Cricket has been a good friend and I have lived with it all my life ,till my studies and made my all dreams come true. Be it playing in Army Area's ground, hitting Shashank for 4 sixes in a over, be it playing in mumbai leagues, or be it playing match winning innings at Pune. Cricket gave me some of my best friends, made possible meeting of friends for life. I would like to thank this great colonial game for transforming my life and making it a cherishable journey.
