Leg-spinner Pardeep Sahu was 16 when he made his first-class debut in 2002 for Haryana. From then till 2011, the 28-year-old played only 13 first-class matches and 15 List A games (seven wickets) for Haryana, picking up 13 and seven wickets, respectively.
Despite spending eight years at the top level, Sahu failed to make any impact. Apart from that, he had to compete with India leg-spinner Amit Mishra. However, Sahu believed he did not get enough opportunities for his state.
Cut to November 9, 2014. Sahu is the talk of Mumbai cricketing fraternity. On Sunday, he became the fourth bowler in the history of Kanga League 'A' Division to scalp all 10 wickets in an innings, something similar to what Anil Kumble did against Pakistan in New Delhi in 1999. Sahu returned with the figures of 29-1-102-10 for Payyade Sports Club against hosts MIG Cricket Club to join the elite club.
For Sahu, who shifted to Mumbai in 2012 after getting a job as an auditor in Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Sunday was an usual day. He left home with the aim to win the game for his team without giving any thought about what would come in the next eight hours.
He watched videos of Shane Warne bowling zooter and flipper to get an idea or two before leaving for the match. He applied the same at the ground only to return successful, although the match ended in a draw.
"It is a great feeling and is yet to sink," an excited Sahu said after the game. "I never thought something like this would take place. I just kept bowling without much thought. The thought of an all-10 came only after I took nine wickets. Even if I'd have got nine wickets, I'd have been as happy. Had we won the game the joy would have doubled," added a shy Sahu.
"I often see videos of my idol Warne and practice how he bowls. But it is not just this morning that I saw the video and started bowling flippers and zooters with the same action but a lot of hard work and practice goes into it. I am happy the result of it came out well," said Sahu, who has 20 wickets in three Kanga League games now.
It may have been only a couple of years since Sahu shifted from Bhiwani to the city of dreams, but the experienced cricketer is not shying away from setting his eyes on Mumbai Ranji team. "Every cricketer has a dream. I too have one. But right now I am not thinking on those lines. My job is to perform and leave it to the selectors to decide whether to consider me or no," Sahu said knowing he has competition from a certain 42-year-old leg spinner Pravin Tambe. "I take inspiration from him. If he can make his first class debut at 42 so I am still 28, 14 years junior," he added.
He is also aware of the eligibility rules. "I am eligibile to play for Mumbai. I have been playing office cricket and club cricket for two years in Mumbai. Even my Aadhar card and registration is of the same city. I don't see a problem here," he added.
Sahu, meanwhile, is also aware of Mumbai Ranji Trophy's cricket culture and the stubborn nature. "It's very challenging to play here. The batsmen don't give away their wickets easily because of their khadoos nature. The cricket culture if Mumbai is great. The opportunities in Mumbai are more than what I had in Haryana," he added.
PV Shetty, president of the Payyade SC and joint secretary of Mumbai Cricket Association, praised Sahu's efforts. "Pardeep is a hard-working bowler. Since our main bowlers were unavailable due to state commitments, he utilised the opportunity to the fullest. In fact, he is good enough to play for the state team," said Shetty.
Brief scores: MIG CC 251 all out (A Rajadhyaksha 78, S Athawale 30; P Sahu 10/102) drew with Payyade SC 197/8 (M Khote 61, A Bhatkal 56, K Singh 34*, O Jadhav 3/66)
Most Wickets in an Innings in A Division:
10/20 V Dutt (Dadar Union SC vs Rajasthan SC, 1982)
10/30 A. Abraham (Sunder CC vs Sind Hindus, 1952)
10/40 BL Dalal (Fort Vijay CC vs Gaud Saraswat CC, 1956)
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