I am motivated, not disappointed, says record-breaker Ajay Rohera after IPL snub

Ajay Rohera became an overnight sensation in this cricket-obsessed nation when he shattered Amol Muzumdar’s long-standing record for the highest score on his first-class debut. Playing for Madhya Pradesh against Hyderabad earlier this month, Rohera was unbeaten on 267 before skipper Naman Ojha declared the innings. Madhya Pradesh had gone on to thrash Hyderabad by an innings and 253 runs.

Riding on Rohera’s sublime knock, Madhya Pradesh had declared their first innings at a mammoth 562/4 in response to Hyderabad’s first innings score of 124. The bowlers then complimented Rohera’s knock by bundling out Hyderabad for 185 in their second essay for an emphatic win in the Ranji Trophy. Rohera, meanwhile, ended up making a world record with the 267-run knock.

The record was earlier held by former Mumbai stalwart Muzumdar, who had hit 260 against Haryana at Faridabad in 1994. Rohera’s knock came off 345 balls and was studded with 21 fours and five sixes. The right-handed wicket-keeper batsman also had another reason to smile as he became the highest individual scorer for Madhya Pradesh.

He broke JP Yadav’s record who had scored 265. Rohera recently opened up on the knock, expressing his delight and revealing how he was informed at the last minute about his debut.  The 21-year-old was called up for his debut only two days before the match.

“It was a great feeling, but at the same, time it is a past for me. I have to do much more,” Rohera told Hindustan Times. “I travelled from Silchar to Indore and I joined the team a day before the match. I practised with them on that day and played the match on the next day. So I didn’t have time to think about anything. And this was probably good for me,” he added.

Motivated by snub:

Despite kickstarting his first-class career on a such a brilliant note, Rohera did not find any buyer in the recently-concluded IPL auction. But instead of being heartbroken or disappointed, the unfortunate snub only motivated him further. “I am motivated, not disappointed, that whatever I have done till now, will not do,” he remarked.

Rohera further gave an indication on how he plans to advance in professional cricket. “I want to play every match like it is a fresh start and not think about what I achieved in the previous game. This is my mindset,” Rohera added.

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