Gourav Yadav was the star for Pondicherry on two very chilly days as he ran through the Delhi batting line-up at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the two team’s Ranji Trophy opener. With figures of 7/49, the 32-year-old from Madhya Pradesh made excellent use of the conditions to put hosts on the mat. With probing lines and the ideal length on the green top, Yadav went for under two an over and gave nothing away and conceded just four boundaries in the 26.5 overs he bowled.
Yadav is no stranger to tasting success in the domestic circuit as he had been a regular performer for Madhya Pradesh in the past but lack of white-ball opportunities and coach Chandrakant Pandit’s disliking made him explore different options. Yadav was the leading wicket-taker in the country with 23 wickets in 9 Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures in 2019-20 season but remained the “16th player” on the MP squad sheet last year.
“I have moved this year only. I wasn’t getting enough chances in white-ball there. Last year, I was in the squad of 15 but I was made the 16th player on eve of the match. And throughout the season I remained 16th player. Mera sahi nahi chal raha tha coach se to maine decision le liya idhar aane ka. I was the highest-wicket taker in Vijay Hazare for MP before Chandu sir came. Sir completely removed me from white-ball set-up,” says Yadav after the end of day’s play in Delhi.
It was India all-rounder and his MP teammate Venkatesh Iyer who put in a word for Yadav to the Pondicherry management. Having played against him earlier, Pondicherry instantly agreed to sign the seamer as the third professional player.
“I have played against them earlier so knew that if fast bowling is pushed up, team will get close to qualifying. I approached them to play here. Actually Venkatesh Iyer spoke to them for me. He told them about me and they had already seen me and agreed instantly,” says Yadav.
For Yadav, who hails from a small village in Madhya Pradesh, it wasn’t easy to move base but constant taunting by the coach made it difficult for him to stay with the Madhya Pradesh unit.
“It’s not an easy decision to leave your home and play. We were doing good, were a champion (Ranji Trophy 2022) team. I was the highest wicket-taker in fast bowlers that season and took six wickets in the final. Chandu sir used to directly say to me ‘ab tereko nahi khilaege’,” adds Yadav.
Didn’t get permission to join CSK
Yadav, who bowls at brisk pace and has the ability to move it both ways, was on Chennai Super Kings’ radar too but he never got permission from coach Pandit and the MPCA to attend trials or be part of the set-up as a net bowler. The 32-year-old was approached by the CSK management for the tour to UAE but MPCA sat on the e-mail for a month and didn’t grant the seamer permission to take the assignment.
“I got call from Chennai Super Kings to come and play for them. They were taking me to UAE. CSK management e-mailed for taking me as a net bowler. Ek mahine se e-mail daala tha CSK waalo ne but MPCA waalo ne mana kar diya ki available nahi hai. I tried talking to them but they said if you go then stay there, we won’t play you. When teams called for trials also, I wasn’t allowed to go,” says Yadav.
The crafty seamer was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore set-up as a net bowler last season and still has the picture with Virat Kohli as his whatsapp profile image. The management there was impressed with him and he is now likely to be part of Punjab Kings as a net bowler for the upcoming season.
Before heading back to the dressing room, Yadav was gently reminded that he is just three wickets away from a ten-wicket haul in the match. He responded with a smile and patiently posed for a picture.
Comments
0 comment