HP’s Bhavin Thakkar and Vinit Indulkar to face Mumbai for the first time in city.
It’s ‘home sweet home’ for two former Mumbai cricketers Bhavin Thakkar and Vinit Indulkar. Both had switched their allegiances to Himachal Pradesh the last season.
In an irony of fate, the duo is back in Mumbai not to play for the state but to play against them (for Himachal Pradesh) in a Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match commencing at MCA’s Bandra-Kurla Complex ground on Tuesday.
This will be the first time they will play against Mumbai here. Turning out for Himachal, they had faced Mumbai first time in the Ranji quarterfinals in the previous season at a neutral venue where Mumbai comfortably beat their opponents and eventually won the title defeating Uttar Pradesh.
More than the test of nerves, it will be the emotional bonding that they have to get over. “I have played for Mumbai and it is always a matter of pride but this time I will be at the other end. But the spirit of winning the game for my team Himachal Pradesh will top my agenda,” says Bhavin Thakkar when asked about his team’s face-off against Mumbai.
While teammate Indulkar is taking it up as a challenge. “It is a big challenge personally and as a team. They are defending champions and a very strong team. I have played for Mumbai and am keen to perform well against them in Mumbai. If you do well against a team like Mumbai you will get noticed and am ready to grab this opportunity with both hands,” adds Indulkar.
As far as emotional bonding with the city, Thakkar says, “We are professional players and we will be in this situation every now and then. But the commitment won’t be any less for my team Himachal Pradesh. The players in the Mumbai team are my friends hence competition will be fiercer.”
“I have learnt the basics of the game in Mumbai and have special moments here, but this will only motivate me to perform better,” Indulkar adds. Thakkar feels the pressure will be on Mumbai.
“They are the defending champions and we will be going as underdogs hence they will be under more pressure and we can capitalise on it. We have a decent team and have players who have been performing consistently. We got three points against Hyderabad by virtue of getting the first innings lead, hence our confidence will be very high,” he adds.
Indulkar feels knowing the Mumbai players will be an advantage. “We play with them through out the year in the club tournaments that is why we know their ins and outs. But it will be the same for them too. We are ready for the challenge,” he said.
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