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U19 Youth Asia Cup: BEST bus conductor's son Atharva Ankolekar picked for India U19 team
Atharva is a left-arm spinner, who has so far played in only three games for India ‘B’ U19 against India ‘A’ U19 and Afghan U19 teams in March this year.
The game of cricket is considered as a religion in this country and youngsters who spend their time sweating it out on Mumbai maidan's dream of donning the India cap in their career. In order to achieve the goal one has to be very focussed towards the goal and put in that extra effort to achieve success. The game that was once considered an elite sport in the past, has seen a change of scenario and the kids from the middle-class have ensured that their hard work over the years in the game has paid off.
The likes of Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar to Mahendra Singh Dhoni and numerous others, coming from not-so-well-to-do families and making a name for themselves on the 22 yards. The Under 19 cricket has always been seen as a platform for the budding youngsters to express themselves and showcase their talent to the world. Today we look at the son of a BEST bus conductor who has been selected for India Under-19 squad for the Youth Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka next month.
Meet, Atharva Ankolekar, the 18-year-old son of Vaidehi Ankolekar, who has made his mother and the family proud by getting picked for the big occasion. The reason for celebration gets even bigger as Vaidehi had single-handedly raised Atharva after his father Vinod passed away when Atharva was just nine then.
Talking about the young sensation, Atharva is a left-arm spinner, who has so far played in only three games for India ‘B’ U19 against India ‘A’ U19 and Afghan U19 teams in March this year. A second-year student at Mumbai’s Rizvi College of Arts, Science and Commerce, said that he missed his father after getting the U19 call.
“I am missing my father the most right now. When I was a baby, he would place a cricket bat in the cot next to me. As I grew, whenever I performed well, he would give me gifts such as bats, gloves and helmets to play the sport. I miss all that. Now, I will work hard and play for Team India,” he was quoted as saying by DNA.
Vaidehi also is very ecstatic to hear the news regarding her son's selection. “I have received messages from other BEST staffers and relatives. I am really grateful to all of them; it’s a proud moment for me,” she said.
“My husband Vinod was a conductor in BEST and the only earning member in the family. His death left me helpless and I began giving tuition at my home with my friend’s help. Later, I was luckily given my husband’s job. I am grateful to BEST, because of it, I could fulfill my son’s dream,” she added.
One of Atharva’s special moments came in 2010 when he took the wicket of none other than the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar in a practice game in Mumbai. The latter even gifted him a pair of autographed gloves.
India Under 19 team will be lead by Dhruv Chand Jurel, the son of a Kargil War veteran who chose to serve his country by playing cricket.
