Season gets better for MIG opener

Like other cricketers in Mumbai, Sumit Ghadigaonkar dreams about representing the team in domestic cricket. Sumit, who opens the batting for MIG Cricket Club, slammed 229 runs off 203 balls against PJ Hindu Gymkhana on Sunday at the Jain Irrigation System-sponsored 70th Police Invitation Shield Cricket Tournament.

 The Santacruz lad showcased a great deal of skill and talent with 27 boundaries and three sixes with stylish cover drives and clean strokes that were audible even from the boundary line. The right-handed opener’s heroics allowed his team to post a firm total of 419 in 70 overs.

 In the recent years, one major improvement in sports has been the off-the-field development for the players. Athletes who are not fortunate enough to make it to the domestic team have a chance of employment in government offices. Similarly, Sumit got a job under cricket recruitment at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). His parents work at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at the clerical level. In the primary years of his RBI job, Sumit struggled to manage the game and work side-by-side. “I was happy to get the job but cricket is equally important. I had to learn my work in the initial period so it became hard for me to take out time for cricket,” said Sumit, who scored a century in the final of the last edition of the competition.

“Once I became acquainted with things at work, I resumed cricket, religiously practicing every day after office. After my performances improved, I was granted leaves for cricket as I am recruited under cricket quota. I took a week off to practice for police shield and I am glad the result was this great,” he added.

Before the start of domestic cricket season, every city has their own competitions to get players back to the rhythm and allow them some warm-up before they take to the big stage. Mumbai has its one-of-a kind competition called Kanga League, which has an unfamiliar characteristic of being played in the monsoons. The ball does not come so easily on the bat as the pitches are damp. Playing for MIG, Sumit is the sixth highest run-scorer in the league with 164 runs in four innings. He almost scored a century in the match against Dadar Union, which, he thinks could grab the selector’s attention.

 “I scored 89 runs and if I had converted it to a century, maybe I would make a bigger impact on the selectors,” Sumit said.

Now aged 25, he is training harder every day to achieve his dream and when one cannot do the same, it tests an individual’s patience. “It is a challenging period for me right now. My age is still decent to make a domestic debut and I know that I have to keep my calm to stay in the game but it is hard sometimes,” said Sumit with an open heart. “I train hard after work hours to make sure I stay fit even if it gets exhausting for me.”