GOD WANTS ME TO BE AN INSPIRATION, THE REASON HE’S DOING ALL THIS”, says Bhati, who has a ray of hope, lingering on the game. Have you ever thought of personifying determination? I will tell you, what it looks like when you try it. An epitome of determination, perseverance, and patience, Prayag Bhati. Age 29. the Mumbai-born all-rounder is into the professional scheme of things for about 15 years now.
He started attending coaching sessions at the meager age of 10. Honrao Academy, in Pune, was his first home. Coming from a very humble background, Prayag could not afford the fees then. Such was the simplicity of Mr. Honrao, (The owner), who had coached Prayag for one whole year, without charging a single penny.
As a stepping stone, Bhati then joined the Cadence Academy and played for the U13 level. “This was the turning point in my career”, Bhati recalls. This paved the way for the Polly Umrigar trophy and was the start of his professional career. A breakthrough season in the Polly Umrigar ended with Bhati earning the award for Highest Runs and Highest Wickets. And then, there was no looking back. Representing Maharashtra and West Zone from the U-15 levels, was just the start.
Thoroughly dominating the U19 Cooch Behar and the U22-U25 CK Nayudu, Bhati was destined for bigger things it seemed. The all-rounder stood out as the team talisman in the CK Nayudu, as he bagged the most runs among his teammates for two seasons running.
Bhati had his first taste of success when he made his Vijay Hazare debut in 2010. After an impressive U23 season in 2012-13, Bhati deservedly earned his Ranji Trophy Debut for Maharashtra in 2013. Syed Mushtaq Ali Debut? The very next season, in 2014. Everything looked as if it was a tale, already penned.
You always face some conflict, in your story, don’t you? Prayag suddenly experienced a downturn in fortunes. While he was living and accomplishing his dreams, the opportunities stopped knocking at his door. When questioned about his opportunities, “opportunities toh abhi tak mila hi nahi hai, yaar! I have been the 12th man for 30 Ranji Trophy games. For the last 7 years, I have been serving water. Despite me dominating every tournament, be it CK Nayudu or Syed Mushtaq Ali”, he added dejectedly.
When your very own don’t recognize you as deserving, you go to a foreign land to show your class. Bhati played in the Surrey Cricket League in 2016, representing Abhani Cricket Club. And guess what? He finished the tournament as the recipient of the Player of the Year accolade! In 10 matches, he scored 600 runs and scalped 25 wickets.
Finding an end to his frustration, Bhati returned to his homeland all fresh. Started working for Indian Customs Department (Pune Office) in 2015, Bhati played the sub-zone tournament every year. The champions of the sub-zone are selected for the west zone. Since the past four years in the sub-zone tournament, Bhati has proved himself by being the Man of the Match in the four finals.
In the 2017 zonal finals against Ahmadabad Customs, he scored 97. Although, the team could not get their hands on the silverware.
In 2018, Bhati’s patience was tested and finally played his last Ranji match for Maharashtra. Due to a lack of opportunities, decided to shift to Mumbai in 2019, and stand a chance to represent the Mumbai Team. The COVID 19 was a blessing in disguise for Bhati, as all of his cooling period has been spent, at a time where things were disrupted anyway. He was listed in the probables for the recently concluded Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali for Mumbai. But his cooling period was not over. He hopes to make the cut, come the next season.
“I am 29 down, with a high fitness level. If you perform once or twice in age groups, you get a chance to represent in the Ranji Trophy. But I have sent the bowlers to fetch balls! Dominated every age group, so have no idea what will I have to do, to get my deserved opportunity! You can’t read a selector’s mind. Can you?”, said Bhati, exasperatedly.
We all need someone to stand by us, during our tough times. Companies like BAS, Nike, SG, and Fast & Up have been Prayag’s pillars of strength. They have sponsored him and supported him all this while.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND RECORDS:
- Scored 22 hundreds and 5 double hundreds for Candence Cricket club, pune.
- Scored 1000 runs in CK Nayadu Trophy
- Scored 1000 runs in 7 innings in Cooch Behar Trophy
- 60 wickets taken in all age groups for State
- Fastest U19 Hundred
- Fastest U19 Double Hundred
- Fastest U23 Double Hundred
- Fastest U25 Hundred
- 34 ball 100
- smashed 6 sixes in an over, twice
- Scored 250 runs in three consecutive matches in the Cooch Behar trophy
- Been called for 3-4 franchises in the IPL.
- Rajasthan Royals trials:12 ball 50
- Kings XI Punjab trials:38 ball 80
Very confident of his abilities, Bhati is destined for bigger things. None of us are born to just struggle. We all believe that his struggles will end soon, and Prayag Bhati will make the bigger curtains in quick succession. The story is very inspiring. Whenever you are going through hardships, you would now recall Prayag Bhati, and keep yourself going.
In the past years, many players have emerged out of the sports industry, mainly cricket. This has undoubtedly made the young blood, pursue the sport so passionately. It is very much expected to idolize stars like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, while one is at the grassroots level. However, with the changing dimension of cricket, it is no more a batsman’s game. Bowlers can turn the game on their head, now more than ever.
One of the shining stars, from Gujarat, is Sasyak Singh. 15-year-old, Right Arm Fast, Lower Middle Order Batsman. He gets the new ball swinging outwards. He is a lethal bowler, constantly hitting 110-115 kph. However, in recent years, the pace is not the solitary thing that a fast bowler relies on. His stock delivery being the outswinger, Sasyak has several variations hidden in his pocket. The cutter and the slower one he generally uses to deceive the batsman.
At the tender age of 9, Singh started to attend cricket coaching at the Axel Sports Academy. It takes you a long way if you start inculcating a skill right from your childhood. Exposure is all you need in your early days. And Singh has got the best of exposure, courtesy, the Axel Academy. He has toured pan India while playing academy cricket. In five years, Singh managed to bag 150 wickets in his kitty.
Singh has also played for “Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad” in the pre-pandemic season. He has represented the academy in 8 matches. This is where he also had the chance to play in the prestigious Reliance U-14 district tournament.
“Keep working hard and you will reach the top”, they say. He has represented the GCA (Gujarat Cricket Association). These are the milestones that you dream of as kids, don’t you? And Singh has achieved them while being a kid. The 2019-20 season provided Singh the much-deserved breakthrough. Having fulfilled his dreams this early in his career will only strive him for more.
Statistics is what backs a player. His best bowling figures stand as 5/24. He can also hit a few boundaries if need be. As a floater, he has managed to hit a high score of 54*. Man of the Match Award is an award that every youngster has his eyes on. Singh has received One MOTM award while playing for the GCA. Being the star of Axel Academy, Sasyak has received 14 MOTM awards.
“Sasyak has improved his physique and is getting mature in his gameplay day by day. He is getting used to matches and has started adapting himself to different match situations too” “He has got great exposure by making into the list of probable of U-14 category for the GCA, but I am not happy as a coach because he should put in extraordinary performances regularly, to reach the highest levels”, quoted Mr. Jani, Sasyak’s coach at the Axel Academy.
He is one talent that has immense potential, and the quality to be competing with the best.
“Leadership is a behavioral process that influences individuals and group towards set goals.”
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We are proud to announce ‘The Best Leader Award in Corporate Sports’ to Mr. Raviraj P. Kadam, Captain – Cricket Team – TATA AIA Life Insurance Co. Ltd. We also would like to Congratulate TATA AIA for producing such a leader who is a great example for entire Corporate Sports Fraternity.
Congratulations Mr. RAVIRAJ P KADAM for the ‘Best Leader’ award, and exhibiting the great leadership qualities on the Sports Field.
We wish to see TATA AIA Team winning many more Championships in your Leadership.
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Anjuman Islam were put to bat 1st and they scored 181 runs before getting all-out Mohsin Qureshi top scored 35 off 53 before there was a 65 run 9th wicket partnership between Shakil and Rizwan Sheikh which took the team to a respectable total.
From Bhatia Sports Club Kush Attawala was the pick of the bowlers with a spell of 4/41. Parin Gondalia and Abdul Kuthus chipped with 2 wickets each
Bhatia Sports Club in turn could only manage 103 runs on the board because of some tidy bowling by Mustafa Gulam 3/17 of his 9 overs and other bowlers too chipped in. For Bhatia Sports Club the only notable score was Harsh Asher’s 35 off 36 balls.
Match Summary
Anjuman Islam Institute 181/10 34.4 overs
- Mohsin Qureshi: 35 (53)
- Kush Attawala: 4-41
Bhatia Sports Club 103/10 27.5 overs
- Harsh Asher: 35 (36)
- Mustafa Gulam: 3-17
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Group A
Pathare Prabhu Cricketers who batted first at Bharat CC, Shivaji Park, were in deep trouble at one stage with scoreboard reading 42/5 and 60/6 at one stage. However, their team went through a miraculous escape thanks to a record 176 run stand for the 7th wicket between Aarifkhan Pathan and Vaibhav Kamble. Aarif Pathan at no.6 scored a 97 ball 67 while Vaibhav who came at no.8 simply played a blinder of an innings as he went on to score 113* off 79 balls smashing 15 boundaries at a strike rate of 143.04. From the bowlers, medium pacer Kalyankumar Konar with 4/34 in 7 overs was the pick of the lot.
Dadar Cricket Club in reply were all out for 249 runs in 42 overs with Samarth Pomedkar at no.6 top scoring with 59 runs off 52 balls. Kalyankumar Konar who took 4wkts also contributed with the bat scoring 47 runs and stitching a crucial stand with Dipanshu Singh who scored 42 runs.
- Result: Pathare Prabhu Cricketers win by 53 runs
- Scorecard link: http://tripoturf.com/Tournament/match-details/64334/tournament-details/KanKnoCriTou
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Cosmos XI Thane after being put to bat first at Goa Naka Cricket Ground in Thane were least deterred as they posted a massive total of 222 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 20 overs. Despite losing one of their openers early, Afzal Ansari and Mohd Riyaz stitched 128 runs together for the 2nd wicket which changed the game. Riyaz who came at no.3 went on to score a blistering century as he smashed 114* off 51 balls which had 12 fours and 8 sixes with a strike rate above 220.00!
Blazing Stars in reply could manage to reach 176/8 with opener Harshdeep Chavan’s 48 being the highest score. From the bowlers, Jatin Bhatia with 2/4 in 3 overs bowled an excellent spell to trouble the opposition.
- Result: Cosmos XI Thane win by 46 runs
- Man of the Match: Mohammad Riyaz
- Scorecard link: https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/1775669/ESPL-IV—WHITE-BALL-T20/Cosmos-11-Thane-vs-Blazing-Stars#scorecard
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Bhatnagar Sports Club opting to bat first at DPC Matunga were all out for 160 runs in 35.1 overs. Bhatnagar Sports Club which has experienced players received a healthy competition from the young DPC side as they restricted them to a low total. From the bowlers, left arm spinner, Yogesh Sawant with 3/16 in 5.1 overs was the pick of the lot while Bhushan Talwadekar and Maxwell Swaminathan bagged two wickets a piece.
Chasing 161 with scoreboard reading 40/6 at one stage, Dadar Parsi Colony scripted a memorable comeback courtesy a brilliant half century by Bhushan Talwadekar at no.7 who scored 56* off 109 balls (4 fours). Apart from Bhushan, Siddhant Ghule (38 runs) also played well as DPC crossed the victory line in 43rd over winning the match by 3 wickets.
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Chasing a total of 124 vs Karan Cricket Academy, Santosh Sports Academy chased down the total successfully courtesy a match winning half century by Parth Agarwal who scored a brilliant 65 off 64 balls laced with 9 boundaries. Parth anchored the chase perfectly as he earned man of the match award for his half century.
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U12 LITTLE CHAMPS T-20 CRICKET TOURNAMENT 2020-2021 sponsored by NATRAJ PEN (HINDUSTAN PENCIL LTD)
- 2nd Quarter final match on 04/04/2021.
- Teams: Santosh Sports Cricket Academy A VS Karan Cricket Academy.
- Toss: Karan Cricket Academy won the toss and elected to bat first made 123/8 in 20 overs.
- 1st innings: Santosh Sports Cricket Academy A made 124/3 in 17.5 overs.
- 2nd innings: Santosh Sports Cricket Academy A won the match by 7 wickets
- Man of the match:– Parth Agarwal Batting – 65 runs of 64 balls ( 9 boundaries)
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Karnatak Sporting Association after being put to bat first at Worli Sports Club ground lost their openers early but it was the 114 run stand between Ramanpreet Ghuman and Karan Vashodhia (66 runs) which brought them back into the game. Ghuman coming at no.3 top scored for his team falling just 3 runs short of a well deserved ton getting dismissed for 97 off 93 deliveries (10 fours , 3 sixes). Aiswary Surve coming at no.9 played a blinder of an innings smashing 65* off just 36 balls (4 fours, 5 sixes) to push his team towards 306/9 in 45 overs.
Worli Sports Club in reply were all out for 206 runs courtesy a good bowling spell by Vidyadhar Kamath who took 4/54 in 9 overs. Kamath who manages to bowl both off spin and leg spin provided timely breakthroughs helping his team restrict the opposition to a low total.
Scorecard Link: http://tripoturf.com/Tournament/match-details/64307/tournament-details/YouComShiCriTou2
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A few years back he had made the distinction to be the youngest to play in T20 Mumbai and now 18yr old Suryansh Shegde adds another feather to his cap to be one of the youngest to play in Young Comrade Shield Tournament representing an A Div MIG Cricket Club.
Coming to bat at no.7 with scoreboard reading 137/5, it was fireworks at MIG cricket ground in Mumbai as Suryansh went on to score one of the all time fastest hundreds of Young Comrade Shield Tournament. Apart from half centuries by Gaurav Jathar (56 runs) and Siddarth Chitnis (59 runs), MIG were off to a shaky start but it was Suryansh who smashed 101* off 58 balls (7 fours, 5sixes) taking MIG from 137/5 to 300/7 in 44 overs.
Fort Vijay in reply were all out for 121 runs courtesy a superb spell by Vinit Dhulap who returned with bowling figures of 4/31 in 9 overs.
Scorecard link: http://tripoturf.com/Tournament/match-details/64315/tournament-details/YouComShiCriTou2
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