‘Happy that we took the correct decision of supporting Darshan’
| Date :27-May-2020 |
(Clockwise from above) Vidarbha all-rounder Darshan Nalknde with parents. In action while representing India. Celebrating a wicket.
By Mahesh S Kale :
SUCCESS is not an accident, magic trick, luck or blessing. Rather it is relentless hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrificing and most important the love for what you are doing. The same can be said for city’s right-arm medium pacer Darshan Nalkande, who in his early age got success because of his hard work and determination. Darshan, who used to run after the cricket ball during his infancy has now become a full time cricketer. The lanky Vidarbha Ranji bowler also earned a place in Indian Premier League’s (IPL) Kings XI Punjab team in 2019-20 season after making a huge impact in his debut Vijay Hazare Trophy game. The bowler was retained by Kings XI Punjab for this year but it got postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Vidarbha pacer, who represented Under-19 Indian team for Asia Cup and England tours, actually began his cricketing journey when he was as young as two years old. “Darshan used to play with cricket ball from the age of two.
He, along with his elder brother Gaurav, who was five then, used to play in our porch. Darshan used to bowl but the ball never reached Gaurav. Though it was fun to watch both brothers enjoy their very own version of cricket,” recalled his mother Advocate Sapna Nalkande. She added, “After a couple of years, seeing their madness for the sport we enrolled them at the Akola Cricket Club (ACC) for one month summer camp. Spotting their talent and dedication the coaches at ACC called me up and said that both Darshan and Gaurav are very talented and we want them at the ACC for year round training.” The all-rounder, who has an excellent record in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, was also good in academics. “Darshan was very intelligent. He was always among top three and has also won several medals in academic competitions. He finished third at the Abacus National-Level Competition in 2008. He is very smart and rational,” Sapna told ‘The Hitavada’.
The young fast bowler who has played just three First-Class games till date actually proved his worth and cricketing acumen after he got selected for the VCA’s Residential Academy. “His selection into the VCA’s Residential Academy helped him a lot. There were special coaches for almost everything. They used to look after his diet, fitness and training. Darshan used to train for around 6-7 hours daily and has benefited a lot from this,” Sapna said. “I knew from the very beginning that Darshan would climb the ladder very high. Mala Tyache Paay Palnyatch Disle Hote. (I could see him becoming a cricketer).
Even coaches and other players at the VCA Residential Academy would tell us that he is gifted and very hard working. His determination and focus is altogether at a different level. He would have excelled in any field. I hope the day is not far when we all could see him donning the (India senior) blue jersey,” she added. During the conversation Advocate Sapna said, “Initially we were slightly skeptical about cricket and Darshan as people around us used to say that there is no career in cricket, the competition is very tough, he won’t reach too far so on and so forth. But now we are happy that we collectively took the correct decision of supporting him. Even today whenever he feels low we are there to support him.”
The all-rounder, who once had to encounter situations in past where he was unable to afford kitbags, bats, balls and other equipment, has now sponsorship from several big brands. “Cricket is an expensive sport, specially for a middle-class family. But still we gave him the best that we could afford. Initial five years or so were quite financially draining but when he received the sponsorship it was all sorted out.” Sapna, who has witnessed many of Darshan’s career defining moments said, she still remembers his selection into the Under-19 Indian team. “I think his selection into the U-19 team is something which I can never forget. It was our best moment. His fabulous innings in the final of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-2019 where he scored 59 not out from 30 balls hitting five sixes and two fours was also another instance worth remembering. Of course, Darshan getting selected for Kings XI Punjab was a very happy moment for all of us,” Sapna concluded.