There is a special cricketing flavour to the grounds of Mumbai.
The heat, dust, grass, humidity and noise around them make for a distinct brew that can make a cricketer tough, or khadoos as they say here.
A group of Zimbabweans have descended on the city to have a taste of this mix and be tough. The ultimate aim is something else but they seem to have fallen in love with this unique potion.
“They’re loving it. It has been a very gratifying experience for the boys,” says Lalchand Rajput, the former India coach and batsman, who grew up as a cricketer on these dusty, noisy Maidans. Being the technical director of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), he is the brain behind the visit. “They have played about six one-day and three T20 games and it has been a good educational trip, we wanted them to be exposed to these conditions… how to bat, how to bowl and how to stay at the wicket.”
Not just the heat and dust, the ZC managers wanted the young boys to have a feel of being away from home and get used to the taste of the sub-continent. “Its food, humidity, weather and intensity in cricket,” chimes in Prosper Utseya, a former Zimbabwe international, who is in charge of the young bunch. “We want them to get tested – all-round learning – that is the idea. We want them to know how to bat and bowl for long periods of time.”
The agenda actually is to prepare for the Under-19 World Cup, to be held in Sri Lanka in 2024, and Rajput has felt the similarity of conditions in Mumbai and Sri Lanka will stand the youngsters in good stead.
“We wanted to start building the side early, not just prior to three months. Look, the seniors started preparing for the T20 World Cup (in Australia) four years in advance and did well (they beat sides like West Indies and Pakistan). We want to identify the boys who are mentally strong, tackle spin and handle pressure,” says Rajput, whose particular focus has been to expose them to spin which, he and Utseya think, will be a key element in Sri Lanka.
Adds Utseya: “For now, we are focusing on using their future for Zimbabwe. If we can have a good foundation and ultimately produce a very competitive national side, the task will be successful. It is my responsibility to produce players who can fit into the national side, franchise sides and perform at a higher level. I am more focused on the pathway into the national side.”
The bunch of 21 is a combination of five fast bowlers, four spinners, a few all-rounders and three wicketkeepers. “There are a few players who can graduate to the national team and play for Zimbabwe for a long time,” says the 37-year-old former spinner, who played four Tests, 164 ODIs and 35 T20Is for Zimbabwe. “The way the players are, the idea is to come up with different strategies.”
In the midst of the month-long grueling trip, the Zimbabweans had their fan boy moments when Rohit Sharma walked into their dressing room at the BKC ground after a game on Thursday (December 15). Utseya cannot stop talking about it.
“I asked him if he could have a chat with the boys in the change room. He agreed and was very happy to do that.
It was very good of Rohit to take time out of his busy and precious schedule and share his experience and knowledge. He is an inspiration for the boys.
The young generation, they grow up watching him. He was very big on preparation, discipline and most importantly acting under pressure. My guys are very happy and motivated and inspired. Very grateful.”
Among other members of the Zimbabwe contingent are Chris Mpofu (bowling coach) and Eric Chauluka (batting coach).
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is happy it could be of help to the ZC players.
“They wanted a few games with Mumbai teams and we’ve agreed. We’re here to do anything that can build the image of Mumbai cricket,” says Ajinkya Naik, the secretary of MCA.
The Zimbabwean boys are in Mumbai since November 21 and will leave for home in a few days even as their Under 19 girls’ team has also arrived in the city to prepare for next month’s World Cup in South Africa.
The Zimbabweans seem to have fallen in love with the heat, dust, noise and the cricketing flavour of Mumbai.-cricbuzz
