After being overlooked at the Railways trials, Parag Madkaikar reaches the city on Sunday morning and posts an unbeaten 100 for New Hind Sports Club.
Twenty-three-year-old Parag Madkaikar is desperate to make his presence felt. Even after being overlooked by the Railways in trials, he reached the city early morning from Delhi to take part in the Strategen Dr HD Kanga Memorial League for his new club, New Hind Sports Club, on Sunday.
The youngster didn’t disappoint. He struck a brilliant unbeaten 100 against Greater Mumbai Police in an A Division match at the Dadkar Maidan, Matunga. He also had an unbroken 175-run partnership for the third wicket with Prashant Naik (81 n.o.). However, the match ended in a draw as Mumbai Police, chasing 198, saved the match and finished the day at 61 for seven.
An employee of Western Railway, Parag was in Delhi for a week’s selection trial camp conducted by Railways to pick the squad for the season ahead. However, he was unfortunate not to make the cut. “It was disappointing that I could not make the squad. I vented all my frustrations by scoring this hundred. I have had a mixed season in the past few months as I had a good run playing in the English league for Hawkinge Club in Kent. Then I went to Delhi but did not get selected,” a dejected Madkaikar said.
“When I reached Mumbai by Rajdhani Express this morning I was not tired despite a 15-hour journey. I wanted to prove myself that I still have the ability and will to play at the top level. A century in A division has only assured me that I haven’t lost my willpower,” he added.
Like Mumbai’s Rohit Sharma who went on to make it big at the highest level, Madkaikar too was tipped as the talent to watch out for during his age group days. He has played for India in the U-17 World and was there in the India U-19 squad in 2005 when England Colts had come to the sub-continent in 2005.
“It obviously does not feel great when you do not see your career going upwards. I have had a fair season last year. I scored a 100 against Air India during Times Shield and was the best batsman in DY Patil Twenty20 Tournament. It is disappointing not to see my name in the Mumbai squad,” he added.
Parag says his target now is to be consistent. “My aim is to wear the Mumbai cap and I would like to be consistent after today’s innings,” said Parag.
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