Confessions of an IPL player

“At the beginning of every season, I pray that some players will fall ill so I can play, but it never seems to happen”

For three seasons, I have been part of an IPL team now as a fringe player. Though I am an all-rounder, I am yet to play a single IPL match. At the beginning of every season, I pray that some players will fall ill so I can play, but it never seems to happen.

I am trying to break into my state Ranji squad for the last two years; hopefully it should happen soon. Uncapped Ranji players come cheap, for as little as Rs 6 lakh per year, while other teammates get paid crores. But, it’s still good money since we get Rs 1,500 per day as allowance and much more in dollars when touring abroad. At the Champions League and IPL in South Africa, the money I made in allowances was equal to a whole year’s fee without playing a single match.

I managed to get into the best 20:20 team when I went to Australia for studies. They have a six-team IPL-like tournament with foreign players. My team had a world-class Pakistani and an Englishman. As teams were allowed to field only two foreign-origin players, I was never capped. But, being there and practising at the nets is an experience any player would give his right hand for.

I came back to India and got selected in this IPL team. But I missed the first season completely as I injured my knee while fielding. It was very silly. I was so enthusiastic to make the cut that I turned rather flamboyantly while practising and got injured. I had to get my knee operated.

Now, I am fine but that experience was a setback. I hope the next IPL season proves lucky. I have been working hard on my fitness and cricketing skills.

Of course, I am not here just for the money alone. I have to convert the IPL opportunity by breaking into the Ranji XI. My ultimate dream is to play for India, and I have very little time as I am already 22 and have just two more years to prove my worth.

(The cricketer has been a member of a southern IPL team)

As told to Anil Budur Lulla

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