Though veteran Rahul Dravid’s comeback to Indian team for the one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka and Champions Trophy next month have evoked many mixed reactions, it has definitely made one cricketer close home very happy.
It’s none other than our own Parthiv Patel, whose happy countenance says it all. And now, the Gujarat captain wants to do a Dravid in the near future!
According to Parthiv, confidence was never in short supply for him. “But such cases (Dravid) further boosts up my morale. If Dravid can do it the age of 36, why can’t I at 24?” Asked the ace cricketer himself, while revising his own score card so far - the best of which was becoming a Test cricket’s youngest wicketkeeper at 17 years and 153 days when he was called to replace the injured Ajay Ratra for the second Test against England at Trent Bridge in 2002.
Parthiv played his last of 20 Tests exactly a year ago when he donned the Indian blue colour - ODI - jumper way back in 2004.
However, somewhere the flag lost its flutter and the Ahmedabad-based wicketkeeper was replaced by Dinesh Karthik after he failed to live up to the expectations of the selectors five years ago. But, learning from the harsh reality, Parthiv soon began to work hard on improving on his shortcomings in batting and wicket-keeping departments.
Since 2007 he has been performing consistently for the state and for India A, yet been overlooked for the national duty. In 2008, his efforts were rewarded with a call-up to the squad for the Test-series in Sri Lanka but didn’t get enough room to display his ability.
He has been quite a successful in shortest format of the game. Despite playing along side his ‘rival’ and India captain MS Dhoni, Parthiv has been pillar of Chennai Super Kings’ batting in Indian Premier League.
Meanwhile, in order to remain in shape for the new season, Parthiv Patel led the Reliance Industries Cricket Club in a local match - the Gordhandas Cup — against Silver Cricket Club last week. The southpaw scored 29 and 71 but in many ways it was a memorable for him.
It was for the first time in five years that Parthiv played on the ground which shaped him as an international cricketer. “It was great playing (on MG ground). This was my first match almost after five years,” said Parthiv.
Playing against variety of bowlers has given him fresh guard. At the same time, Parthiv did admit that playing on MG and Pharmacy ground gives him special feelings. “It reminds me of my school days cricket,” he said. Considering the hectic cricket calendar ahead and domestic season commencing in September, Parthiv said it was his last match of the season in Ahmedabad cricket.
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