After failing to make into U19 WC side, 19-year-old Aditya Thakare shines on Ranji debut

With the U19 World Cup around the corner, the Indian colts have started off with their penultimate preparations. The squad boasts of a number of talented youngsters. However, a promising 19-year-old Aditya Thakare didn’t make it to the India squad. Making his First-Class debut in the Ranji Trophy final, he was left surprised after he didn’t make the cut to the national team.

Aditya impressed everyone with a probing opening spell in the summit clash. He was clearly the most lucrative Vidarbha bowler. From commentators to former Madhya Pradesh players, everyone was asking this question as Aditya tested the Delhi batsmen

Speaking about his son, father Shailesh Thakare told TOI, “Aditya was keen to play the Ranji Trophy. He was also expecting to be included in the Under-19 squad for the World Cup. When we spoke this morning, Aditya said he will most probably play the final. I told him to use the opportunity well.”

He added, “When he was not selected for the World Cup, coach Rahul Dravid told him not to worry, ‘you have a long way to go. It’s just a start. Just keep working hard.”

Aditya troubled top batsmen with his spell

The Ranji Trophy final is a big stage for any youngster. Aditya was up against one of the finest openers (Gautam Gambhir) of the country. Yet, Vidarbha skipper Faiz Fazal asked him to bowl the first over. The Akola boy bowled an excellent away-going delivery to Kunal Chandela but it was declared a ‘no-ball’.

In the following over, Aditya rattled Delhi’s priority batsman Gautam Gambhir with in-coming deliveries. The experienced opener had to concentrate hard to see off Aditya’s spell. His first spell read 6-1-8-1. To Aditya’s credit, he didn’t experiment much. An incoming delivery got rid of left-hander Nitish Rana. More support from the other end would have put Vidarbha in a different situation.

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