Mumbai’s Juned Khan in motion towards the Remainder of India within the Irani trophy, in Lucknow.
| Picture Credit score: SANDEEP SAXENA
With not less than a dozen worldwide and Indian Premier League superstars that includes within the Irani Cup tie, every considered one of them had not less than one loopy superfan searching for a selfie or a wave sooner or later over the past 5 days.
However the loudest cheer for a participant throughout 5 days was for a debutant from Mumbai who hails from Kannauj — roughly 120 km west of Lucknow.
His mom couldn’t come down however a lot of his associates and prolonged relations from town that’s famend as India’s fragrance capital — or Grasse of the East — have been current on daily basis to cheer for his or her son.
And Juned Khan — the burly pacer — didn’t disappoint them as he earned the prize scalp of Remainder of India captain Ruturaj Gaikwad in his maiden spell in First Class cricket.
That wicket was a fairytale starting of a toil of an odd Indian who struggles to make ends meet.
“I couldn’t sleep in any respect ever since I used to be instructed on the match eve that I shall be enjoying my first match for Mumbai, that too within the Irani Cup,” an elated Juned mentioned. “The wicket was a bonus. Simply to seek out myself right here is sort of a dream in itself.”
A budding cricketer from U.P. travelling to Mumbai — or Kolkata — and making it massive is a well-known story. However Juned‘s story is totally different. When he moved to Mumbai from his hometown a decade in the past, it wasn’t in quest of realising his dream.
“There have been issues at house and I needed to begin working and assist the household make ends meet, so I adopted into the footsteps of some elder associates from Kannauj and reached Mumbai,” he mentioned.
Quickly after reaching in Mumbai, Juned — whereas sharing a shared lodging with a bunch of associates — first labored in a garment manufacturing facility earlier than managing to begin driving an autorickshaw regardless of being a minor.
Whereas driving via the suburbs of autorickshaw, he as soon as landed on the Sanjeevani Cricket Academy — run by former Mumbai wicketkeeper Manish Bangera — near his house. He used to play tennis-ball cricket in Kannauj however ran in and bowled with a cricket ball for the primary time.
Bangera requested him to begin bowling on daily basis however cricket is an costly sport. “I didn’t have cash to purchase spikes however many individuals helped me out and so they backed me to maintain enjoying repeatedly,” he mentioned.
The pandemic meant his aggressive foray on the maidans of Mumbai was delayed however throughout the lockdown, Abhishek Nayar — India’s assistant coach who was then Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach — noticed his expertise when he was enjoying for the PJ Hindu Gymkhana in Police Protect.
“He has helped me in each attainable manner to date. Had it not been for him, I might have been nowhere close to the place I’m now. It was him to instructed me cease driving autorickshaw and commit all my time for cricket. Then I began coaching at his academy. When he requested me to hitch KKR as a web bowler for the final IPL season, it was the perfect alternative for me.”
Having impressed everybody whereas representing PJ Hindu Gymkhana in native tournaments, Juned was picked by the choice committee chaired by Sanjay Patil for the Buchi Babu and KSCA tournaments. And having impressed everybody, Juned debuted — by the way — within the state he hails from.
Ask him about his idol and pat comes the reply. “Mohammed Shami” who additionally left UP in quest of realising his cricket dream. Would he like to return to UP and play for his house crew? “Not likely. Mumbai has given me every part and has made me what I’m. I’ll by no means go away Mumbai,” he mentioned.
Juned nonetheless shares a room with 5 different associates, who work odd jobs. If he continues his fairytale, be relaxation assured that he’ll go locations and can by no means need to trip an autorickshaw once more! And he can have followers chanting his identify not solely in Uttar Pradesh however in every single place he performs!
Revealed – October 06, 2024 01:32 am IST
