Mumbai’s left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh who lifted the Under-19 World Cup in 2012 is moulding himself into an all-rounder to get a second bite at the cherry with the Mumbai Cricket Association’s T20 league. He is currently serving a one-year ‘cooling period’ after playing for Jammu & Kashmir last season.
The 25-year-old could not impress at his J&K stint as he could only manage to get three wickets in three games with an average of 96.00. Although he did not have the best Ranji season, the spinner bounced back strongly in the Kanga League picking up 30-odd wickets. His most impressive performance came off against Greater Mumbai Police where he
dismissed nine batsmen in one inning.
MCA’s T20 league is scheduled to commence from January 4 to 9. As the city has produced immense talent, there are a few cricketers for whom their careers don’t pan out too well. This league could be a chance for such players to catch the attention of the selectors. Harmeet has a similar plan.
“I am looking forward to the league to showcase my game. I have been in good form in local tournaments. I think I can continue the same in the T20 league,” he said.
Harmeet has featured in two U-19 World Cups (2010 and 2012). He was a part of Unmukt Chand’s champion team where the left-armer gained the limelight. He was instrumental in India’s campaign with a magical economy rate of 3.02 in four matches until was ruled out because of sickness.
The Malad lad feels that since the world cup triumph, it has been a challenging period for him. “I got the necessary breaks in life but they have not been constant. I was in and out in the Mumbai team and that is why I moved to the J&K for more playing time. I did not get as many opportunities that I deserved I think,” said Harmeet, who featured for Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals once in 2013.
“I have learned a lot since I did not play well in the IPL. I think 24-27 is the age for a spinner to become mature and I feel that I am. Once my cooling period ends, I am confident of breaking into the Mumbai team,” he
further added.
With such severe competition in the spin department all over the country, Harmeet learned that he needed something special to stand out from the rest. He worked on his batting to be noticeable from the crowd. “I have improved my batting to be called as an all-rounder. I think this is one way through which I could be different from the rest,” said Singh.
He dropped out of college in his second year of Bachelor’s in Commerce to represent India at the U-19 World Cup. Harmeet consults Mumbai’s former bowler Omkar Salvi and regard has him as a mentor. The spinner turned all-rounder believes that once he breaks into the Mumbai team, he will make a name for himself.
