HE MIGHT have taken that first small step towards fulfilling his goal of playing for India. Many youngsters have made it to the national squad after excelling in the Indian Premier League and Vidarbha’s technically sound middle-order batsman Danish Malewar, who has been picked by multiple times champions Mumbai Indians in the auction late last year, dreams not only of representing the country but also wants to win a World Cup for the team. “I am very happy that India have won the Twenty20 World Cup but somewhere in my mind, I think I want to hold that trophy. I want to win that trophy for India someday. I want to contribute in India’s World Cup win,” said Malewar on sidelines of the prize distribution function of Mumbai Indians Junior -- Nagpur leg final of Season 6 that was also graced by VCA Secretary Sanjay Badkas and Chairman of Cricket Administration and Development Committee, VCA, Prashant Vaidya at SB City Cricket Academy ground on Tuesday evening. Malewar is looking forward to his maiden stint in the IPL with Mumbai Indians. “Grateful that Mumbai Indians picked me. I have not played much cricket this season — neither red or white ball but still they picked me. I did not think that anybody would go for me. Really thankful. “I have already started my preparation for IPL.

 

Very excited that I would get to learn a lot from big players like Sachin (Tendulkar) Sir, and coaches Mahela (Jayawardene) and (Kieron) Pollard. With their vast experience, I think I will get much benefited from it. “Sharing dressing room with Rohit (Sharma) Bhaiya is a big thing in itself. I have never shared dressing room with Surya, Hardik, Jasprit and Tilak bhai and it will be for the first time I will be with them. I am very happy and am just waiting when I can be with them to learn and listen from them,” said a soft-spoken Malewar concealing his excitement. Though the middle-order batter earned attention and applause for his compact game in Ranji Trophy a year before, Malewar thinks himself as all-format player. “I think myself as all three formats player though I have not played white ball in domestic cricket. The two months that I will share with great players and coaches, I will try to learn how to go on with the white ball ... like how they play in middle overs or in power play. I would get to learn and that would help me next year when I return,” Malewar said. Malewar praised MI for conducting junior cricket. “MI junior cricket is a very good platform as the players get to play quality tournament. This will help them in future. They are experiencing things right now including how to handle pressure as top teams are competing in the event. I missed these things at my junior level. MI junior is a very good initiative,” he signed off.