Smells like teen spirit
A selection of Mumbai's future sports stars who are quietly working their way up, leaving no sinew unstrained. Keep a watch on their progress.
‘Left’ wondering
Musheer Khan (cricket)
cricket coach
Highly acclaimed coach of Rizvi Springfield School
EITHER YOU are born talented or you acquire skills. Musheer is a natural, a gift from above. At such a raw age, he’s creating ripples in Kanga League and Purushottam Shield with frequent five-wicket hauls. Not to forget his impact in Harris Shield where he’s already a star. He has got cricketing genes from his father (Naushad). His brother (Sarfaraz) is already making waves in the U-19 World Cup in Dhaka. Musheer is so driven about his cricket that he is keen to play matches late at night.
For someone only 11, he reads batsmen’s minds pretty quickly. I remember a Kanga match last year, involving us, Rizvi Sports Club, and his Sportsfield Cricket Club. His father, playing that game, would obviously set fields, but Musheer would have fielders placed his way. The boy was very clear what he was doing. He had a five-for and I don’t remember him getting flustered ever when he was attacked. Flight, dip and turn are his focus and rightly so. His flight and control are impeccable. He’s just about getting a grip over the armer, a ball he’s bound to develop in future. Sky is the limit for this boy if he puts in the hard yards.
Blend of mind and power
Saurabh Meher (Football)
Abhishek Yadav,
AIFF national team director of scouting
Earned 62 caps and scored 17 goals for India in the 2002-11 season
SAURABH MEHER definitely has the potential to make it big. He is a good holding midfielder with great vision. His shots from long range are a threat… I have seen him score from 20-30 yards out. Even at 15, he is an intelligent footballer with a sound temperament.
Currently his game is much better compared to boys his age. He broke into Bank of India’s senior division Mumbai District Football Association side when he was 14. From there he was scooped up by Mumbai FC and then got shortlisted for the U-17 World Cup squad. He has been getting great exposure with the WC team, and is travelling throughout the world. He does need to improve his aerial abilities. He must work harder to ensure he keeps improving. He also needs more motivation, a pat when he is doing well and a hard talk when he needs an extra push. If he makes it to the final 2017 World Cup team, he'll get a chance to impress scouts from all over the world.
The little champion
Mihika Yadav (tennis)
Nandan Bal, coach
Former Davis Cup coach
MIHIKA (15) HAS more year in the juniors. Last year she was part of our junior Fed Cup team to Australia. She’s been winning the U-18 tourneys. Now she’s No 3 on the junior circuit. Mihika has a slight advantage in the sense she is a year younger to Pranjala Yadlapalli (No. 1) and Karman Thandi (No. 2).
If she has to do some work on her game and I can’t travel to Mumbai, she will touch down to Pune. That's how driven she is. Her groundstrokes are flat – this girl doesn’t have any technical flaws. With the forehand, she can be destructive. And she has a decent serve. Her strength can improve. In bulk, endurance and weight she is 70 per cent of where she could be. That's alright for her age. She is not tall enough — consequently it affects her reach. But she’s not scared at the net, no matter how hard the ball is hit at her.
Smiling assassins
Anagha and Deniese (Football)
Jeddy Almeida,
Maharashtra, girls U-14 head coach
Mumbai FC U-15 coach
BOTH ANAGHA Janakkiraman (Juhu) and Deniese Pereira (Bandra) have potential to make it to the national women’s football team in the future. They are only 13 right now but these two are way ahead of their age. Both are identical players and they have the same qualities. Anagha is an attacking midfielder, while Deniese is very versatile and can fit into multiple roles. She currently plays in midfield though.
Both are extremely skilful, two-footed and good ball players. Their ability to receive the ball is remarkable and they are fearless when it comes to tackling. Even though they are so young, they are extremely calm and handle pressure well.
With the right facilities, coaches and training they’ll go way ahead. Currently they are both representing Maharashtra in the sub-junior nationals in Cuttack.
GM in waiting
Aditya Mittal (chess)
Praveen Thipsay, Grandmaster
Former national champion
ONLY NINE and he has stretched his rating to 2000 in Elo. He has already defeated several International Masters. In his age group, which is under-10, he is among the top three in the country. Won a medal at the Asian championship (last year) and has gained over 500 rating points in one year (2015). That is a stunning feat for a player of his age.
His temperament is very good – he is obsessed with the squares and pieces. More appropriately, he is a chess player at heart. I like that. I am told he wants to play every tournament and that is a good sign. Although not originally from Mumbai, he has been staying here for the last three years. His parents back him to the hilt and that is heartening to know. I will be disappointed if he does not go places. Should be a GM in six years’ time.
Poise over body
Manushree Patil (Table Tennis)
Kamlesh Mehta, former national champion
Olympian and national coach
WHEN IT comes to temperament, Manushree (15) stands out. I recently saw her in the state championship in which she won the triple-crown: the sub-junior, junior and youth girls’ titles. She would play an exacting nine matches each day. Yet she had composure to play the right strokes even when she lost steam, showing grit and determination of a pro. Poise under pressure is so essential to excel at the highest level. Now she needs to focus on her physical fitness and get more international exposure.
Tiny, mighty steps
Diya Chitale (Table Tennis)
HAVING JUST crossed 12, Diya Chitale has been investing considerable amount of time and money in developing her skills and training abroad. She has a very strong foundation — the quality of her strokes are mesmerising for her age. Diya, who trains regularly under former Indian national coach Peter Ingle in Germany, has already shown what she is capable of on the international stage. She has half--a-dozen international titles and was named in the World Hopes Team in the World Cadet Challenge in October last year.
Fact that she has been picked for the Olympic Gold Quest’s junior scholarship programme means that she will get all the necessary support towards improving her physical conditioning with a longterm plan. Age is on her side — as she matures, she’ll be more settled and do complete justice to her talent.
Beyond his years
Angad Arneja (shooting)
Vishwajeet Shinde, international shooter and coach
Has won several medals at the national level
IN SHOOTING, age is just a number as one can compete for a much longer time. At 15, Angad Arneja has already started challenging the seniors at the state level — winning the U-21 state title in 50m Free Pistol and finishing sixth in the men’s category. He also won the West Zone Shooting Championship recently. Angad has shown he has the determination and analytical mind to pick the nuances of the sport quickly. He has been training with renowned shooter and coach Ronak Pandit for the .22 events. Given the level of competition on the national and international stage, Angad would not only have to work hard on his skills but also on the mental aspects.
Right on the mark
Gayatri Pawaskar (shooting)
SHOOTING THE bulls’ eye comes naturally to 16-year-old Gayatri Pawaskar. As a coach and fellow shooter, the one thing easily noticeable in Gayatri is her analytical mind and ability to work smarter. Two years ago, she also proved she was not overawed by competition when she downed the legendary Anjali Bhagwat at the National Shooting Trials — she has been delivering consistently on the national and international stage.
Her success in the Asian Air Gun championship in October 2015 and in the Asian Shooting Championship in Kuwait last month will only enhance her hunger for more success.
Going forward, the real challenge for Gayatri would be to tackle the pressure of expectations and keep working hard since 10m air rifle is an extremely competitive event. You need to reinvent yourself to stay on the top of the game.
Fast, fit, furious
Santosh Singh (Hockey)
Vernon Lobo, hockey expert
Former Air India player and manager
A MID-FIELDER with oomph — that’s how I’d describe him. Santosh has incredible stick skills and stamina. Like Tikaram, he has a tremendous ball sense. His dribbling skills are a treat. Being extremely fit, his ground coverage and positional play are excellent.
Already, he has represented Mumbai in four nationals and Maharashtra in the school nationals. He, too, is a product of Our Lady of Dolours — looks like the school is fast becoming hockey’s supply line. Santosh comes from a modest family — he deserves all the backing to move to the next level.
Another Wall in making?
Tikaram Thakulla (Hockey)
THIS 15-YEAR-OLD has all the qualities of a full-back (nowadays called defender). Blessed with quick footwork, brilliant anticipation and a very strong hit, Tikaram ticks all the boxes for a defender’s position. And he’s a firm field tackler too. His phenomenal growth could be gauged from the fact that he has already played three sub-junior nationals and one junior national representing Mumbai, although he took to the game only four years ago.
A student of Our Lady of Dolours (Marine Lines), Tikaram comes from a low-income family. If guided by an accomplished coach, he can go places.
The future cricketer
Fatima Jaffer (cricket)
Sanjay Gaitonde, coach
Women’s Under-19 coach of West Zone and Mumbai
THIS GIRL can bowl with both her arms: right-arm medium-pace and left-arm spin. She is among the top wicket-takers in both U-19 and zonal levels. Her true calling is that of a right-arm medium-pacer. But she bowls left-arm spin for Mumbai since we don’t have one. In the Mumbai women’s senior team, too, she fills the void of a left-arm spinner. Were she to play for India, she could be a resourceful medium-pacer, for she moves the ball both ways. Fatima is very strong for her age (13). I remember an U-19 match against Kerala. She was at mid-on but took a catch at midwicket diving full length even as the ball was going past her.
That was brilliant. Although she’s an all-rounder, we don’t overburden her with batting responsibilities. We don’t want to compromise on those 9/10 overs we get out of her.
‘Left’ wondering
Musheer Khan (cricket)
Raju Pathak,
cricket coach
Highly acclaimed coach of Rizvi Springfield School
EITHER YOU are born talented or you acquire skills. Musheer is a natural, a gift from above. At such a raw age, he’s creating ripples in Kanga League and Purushottam Shield with frequent five-wicket hauls. Not to forget his impact in Harris Shield where he’s already a star. He has got cricketing genes from his father (Naushad). His brother (Sarfaraz) is already making waves in the U-19 World Cup in Dhaka. Musheer is so driven about his cricket that he is keen to play matches late at night.
For someone only 11, he reads batsmen’s minds pretty quickly. I remember a Kanga match last year, involving us, Rizvi Sports Club, and his Sportsfield Cricket Club. His father, playing that game, would obviously set fields, but Musheer would have fielders placed his way. The boy was very clear what he was doing. He had a five-for and I don’t remember him getting flustered ever when he was attacked. Flight, dip and turn are his focus and rightly so. His flight and control are impeccable. He’s just about getting a grip over the armer, a ball he’s bound to develop in future. Sky is the limit for this boy if he puts in the hard yards.
Blend of mind and power
Saurabh Meher (Football)
Abhishek Yadav,
AIFF national team director of scouting
Earned 62 caps and scored 17 goals for India in the 2002-11 season
SAURABH MEHER definitely has the potential to make it big. He is a good holding midfielder with great vision. His shots from long range are a threat… I have seen him score from 20-30 yards out. Even at 15, he is an intelligent footballer with a sound temperament.
Currently his game is much better compared to boys his age. He broke into Bank of India’s senior division Mumbai District Football Association side when he was 14. From there he was scooped up by Mumbai FC and then got shortlisted for the U-17 World Cup squad. He has been getting great exposure with the WC team, and is travelling throughout the world. He does need to improve his aerial abilities. He must work harder to ensure he keeps improving. He also needs more motivation, a pat when he is doing well and a hard talk when he needs an extra push. If he makes it to the final 2017 World Cup team, he'll get a chance to impress scouts from all over the world.
The little champion
Mihika Yadav (tennis)
Nandan Bal, coach
Former Davis Cup coach
MIHIKA (15) HAS more year in the juniors. Last year she was part of our junior Fed Cup team to Australia. She’s been winning the U-18 tourneys. Now she’s No 3 on the junior circuit. Mihika has a slight advantage in the sense she is a year younger to Pranjala Yadlapalli (No. 1) and Karman Thandi (No. 2).
If she has to do some work on her game and I can’t travel to Mumbai, she will touch down to Pune. That's how driven she is. Her groundstrokes are flat – this girl doesn’t have any technical flaws. With the forehand, she can be destructive. And she has a decent serve. Her strength can improve. In bulk, endurance and weight she is 70 per cent of where she could be. That's alright for her age. She is not tall enough — consequently it affects her reach. But she’s not scared at the net, no matter how hard the ball is hit at her.
Smiling assassins
Anagha and Deniese (Football)
Jeddy Almeida,
Maharashtra, girls U-14 head coach
Mumbai FC U-15 coach
BOTH ANAGHA Janakkiraman (Juhu) and Deniese Pereira (Bandra) have potential to make it to the national women’s football team in the future. They are only 13 right now but these two are way ahead of their age. Both are identical players and they have the same qualities. Anagha is an attacking midfielder, while Deniese is very versatile and can fit into multiple roles. She currently plays in midfield though.
Both are extremely skilful, two-footed and good ball players. Their ability to receive the ball is remarkable and they are fearless when it comes to tackling. Even though they are so young, they are extremely calm and handle pressure well.
With the right facilities, coaches and training they’ll go way ahead. Currently they are both representing Maharashtra in the sub-junior nationals in Cuttack.
GM in waiting
Aditya Mittal (chess)
Praveen Thipsay, Grandmaster
Former national champion
ONLY NINE and he has stretched his rating to 2000 in Elo. He has already defeated several International Masters. In his age group, which is under-10, he is among the top three in the country. Won a medal at the Asian championship (last year) and has gained over 500 rating points in one year (2015). That is a stunning feat for a player of his age.
His temperament is very good – he is obsessed with the squares and pieces. More appropriately, he is a chess player at heart. I like that. I am told he wants to play every tournament and that is a good sign. Although not originally from Mumbai, he has been staying here for the last three years. His parents back him to the hilt and that is heartening to know. I will be disappointed if he does not go places. Should be a GM in six years’ time.
Poise over body
Manushree Patil (Table Tennis)
Kamlesh Mehta, former national champion
Olympian and national coach
WHEN IT comes to temperament, Manushree (15) stands out. I recently saw her in the state championship in which she won the triple-crown: the sub-junior, junior and youth girls’ titles. She would play an exacting nine matches each day. Yet she had composure to play the right strokes even when she lost steam, showing grit and determination of a pro. Poise under pressure is so essential to excel at the highest level. Now she needs to focus on her physical fitness and get more international exposure.
Tiny, mighty steps
Diya Chitale (Table Tennis)
HAVING JUST crossed 12, Diya Chitale has been investing considerable amount of time and money in developing her skills and training abroad. She has a very strong foundation — the quality of her strokes are mesmerising for her age. Diya, who trains regularly under former Indian national coach Peter Ingle in Germany, has already shown what she is capable of on the international stage. She has half--a-dozen international titles and was named in the World Hopes Team in the World Cadet Challenge in October last year.
Fact that she has been picked for the Olympic Gold Quest’s junior scholarship programme means that she will get all the necessary support towards improving her physical conditioning with a longterm plan. Age is on her side — as she matures, she’ll be more settled and do complete justice to her talent.
Beyond his years
Angad Arneja (shooting)
Vishwajeet Shinde, international shooter and coach
Has won several medals at the national level
IN SHOOTING, age is just a number as one can compete for a much longer time. At 15, Angad Arneja has already started challenging the seniors at the state level — winning the U-21 state title in 50m Free Pistol and finishing sixth in the men’s category. He also won the West Zone Shooting Championship recently. Angad has shown he has the determination and analytical mind to pick the nuances of the sport quickly. He has been training with renowned shooter and coach Ronak Pandit for the .22 events. Given the level of competition on the national and international stage, Angad would not only have to work hard on his skills but also on the mental aspects.
Right on the mark
Gayatri Pawaskar (shooting)
SHOOTING THE bulls’ eye comes naturally to 16-year-old Gayatri Pawaskar. As a coach and fellow shooter, the one thing easily noticeable in Gayatri is her analytical mind and ability to work smarter. Two years ago, she also proved she was not overawed by competition when she downed the legendary Anjali Bhagwat at the National Shooting Trials — she has been delivering consistently on the national and international stage.
Her success in the Asian Air Gun championship in October 2015 and in the Asian Shooting Championship in Kuwait last month will only enhance her hunger for more success.
Going forward, the real challenge for Gayatri would be to tackle the pressure of expectations and keep working hard since 10m air rifle is an extremely competitive event. You need to reinvent yourself to stay on the top of the game.
Fast, fit, furious
Santosh Singh (Hockey)
Vernon Lobo, hockey expert
Former Air India player and manager
A MID-FIELDER with oomph — that’s how I’d describe him. Santosh has incredible stick skills and stamina. Like Tikaram, he has a tremendous ball sense. His dribbling skills are a treat. Being extremely fit, his ground coverage and positional play are excellent.
Already, he has represented Mumbai in four nationals and Maharashtra in the school nationals. He, too, is a product of Our Lady of Dolours — looks like the school is fast becoming hockey’s supply line. Santosh comes from a modest family — he deserves all the backing to move to the next level.
Another Wall in making?
Tikaram Thakulla (Hockey)
THIS 15-YEAR-OLD has all the qualities of a full-back (nowadays called defender). Blessed with quick footwork, brilliant anticipation and a very strong hit, Tikaram ticks all the boxes for a defender’s position. And he’s a firm field tackler too. His phenomenal growth could be gauged from the fact that he has already played three sub-junior nationals and one junior national representing Mumbai, although he took to the game only four years ago.
A student of Our Lady of Dolours (Marine Lines), Tikaram comes from a low-income family. If guided by an accomplished coach, he can go places.
The future cricketer
Fatima Jaffer (cricket)
Sanjay Gaitonde, coach
Women’s Under-19 coach of West Zone and Mumbai
THIS GIRL can bowl with both her arms: right-arm medium-pace and left-arm spin. She is among the top wicket-takers in both U-19 and zonal levels. Her true calling is that of a right-arm medium-pacer. But she bowls left-arm spin for Mumbai since we don’t have one. In the Mumbai women’s senior team, too, she fills the void of a left-arm spinner. Were she to play for India, she could be a resourceful medium-pacer, for she moves the ball both ways. Fatima is very strong for her age (13). I remember an U-19 match against Kerala. She was at mid-on but took a catch at midwicket diving full length even as the ball was going past her.
That was brilliant. Although she’s an all-rounder, we don’t overburden her with batting responsibilities. We don’t want to compromise on those 9/10 overs we get out of her.
