April 9, 2022
By Paritosh Pramanik
VIDARBHA cricketers are having a dream Indian Premier League season.
After wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma made an excellent debut for Punjab Kings (PBKS) last Sunday, bowling all-rounder Darshan Nalkande was inducted into the Gujarat Titans playing XI in their match against PBKS on Friday to become the second player from Vidarbha to play in the cash lucrative league this season.
And Nalkande didn’t disappoint his captain Hardik Pandya as he bowled his heart out taking two crucial wickets after the Titans elected to bowl at the Brabourne Cricket Stadium in Mumbai.
Nalkande was introduced in the 8th over of the innings and was hit for a maximum from Liam Livingstone. His first over went for 11 runs.
In his second over, the Wardha-born bowler was more expensive as he went for 16 runs.
In the meantime, another Vidarbha player PBKS’ Jitesh Sharma was going hammer and tongs, The stumper had hit two sixes off Rahul Tewatia and was looking dangerous.
For the first time in the match, two Vidarbha players came face to face when Nalkande was back on his bowling mark in the 14th over.
Despite being hit for a few boundaries and sixes, captain Pandya believed in Nalkande’s abilities and handed the pacer another over.
The moment of his life came in his third over when Nalkande got the better of his Vidarbha team-mate Sharma off his first ball.
Knowing the batter Sharma well, Nalkande bowled a slower one, his first delivery of his third over, which Sharma failed to read. The PBKS batter went for a big heave but holed it to Shubman Gill who took a good catch close to the circle.
One brought two as Nalkande gave Gujarat Titans another wicket on his next delivery. A smart bowler he is, Nalkande bowled a knuckle ball to Odean Smith who tried to dominate the debutant opponent from the first ball. Smith aimed to send the ball over long-on boundary but skied it up only to find Gill, who ran to his right and waited patiently for the ball to land into his hands.
Nalkande admitted that there were nerves before the start of the game but coach Ashish Nehra motivated him.
“Yes I was nervous before the start of the match but Ashish bhai motivated me,” said Nalkande during the innings break. Nalkande said that he had to wait for long for his debut but in the same breath said that he would work hard to contribute in team’s success. “It has been a long wait. I was working hard and finally the day has arrived. I will work hard and would love to contribute in team’s success,” added the pacer.
The Vidarbha pacer said he bowled to a plan and followed what captain Pandya said. “I was asked to bowl according to a plan. I delivered what Hardik wanted. The track looked good for batting and I hope we can cross the line,” he said. Nalkande’s three-over spell read 3-0-37-2.
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