Despite being faster than Nehra, the 29-year-old has been warming the bench for the last four years.
NEW DELHI: The fastest bowler in the Delhi side may sit out again for want of influence.
It has been a long wait for Mukesh Devan. The paceman, who has clocked as much as 153kph in the minor county circuit has been warming the bench as stand by for the Delhi Ranji team for the last four years.
That he is already 29 years of age and has not even made his Ranji debut does not speak ill of his talent, it just brings to focus the need for that mandatory bit of influence to get anywhere in Delhi cricket.
India’s first cricket Dronacharya awardee Gursharan Singh has no hesitation is saying: “The only reason Mukesh Dewan sits outside is because he does not have a Godfather. To succeed in Delhi, you either have to be related to someone powerful or come from a moneyed background. Poor fellows with talent alone go nowhere.”
Called Paddy - short for Patrick Patterson, the Windies tear away pacer - by his overseas teammates, Mukesh has been unable to get a chance to showcase his skills in the domestic circuit despite being faster than even Ashish Nehra.
He took five key wickets in the warm-up tie against Rajasthan to reassert his claim but even now is uncertain as to whether he will figure in the final eleven against Mumbai.
“I am raring to go. I hope I get a chance,” he wishes. However, the buzz is disheartening.
“I don’t think they will play him even this time. It has nothing to do with ability as he is by far the best bowler in the side, but I fear others may be accommodated at his cost,” adds Gursharan.
In the Delhi League, Mukesh was the highest wicket taker in 2003.
He claimed 27 in nine matches. Last year he took 18 from six. Despite the lack of support, Mukesh stays upbeat: “All I need is one chance.”
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