The Chandigarh railway station was Kanwar Virdi’s “second home” for greater than twenty years earlier than he rediscovered his love for the sport three years in the past. In 2019, the native affiliation made the previous pacer turned ticket examiner one in all its selectors; the person who opened India’s bowling towards Pakistan within the inaugural Youth World Cup in 1988 is now eager to be taught the artwork of teaching.
Virdi’s promising profession was lower brief at solely seven first-class video games for Haryana after a stress fracture of the again. But he has some fond reminiscences, the foremost being dismissing Inzamam-ul-Haq in the one recreation he obtained within the Youth World Cup.
“Inzamam was my first wicket, I keep in mind (Venkatapathy) Raju took the catch. The second wicket was of Zulfiqar Butt,” Virdi advised The Indian Express.
“The better part was when Pakistan coach Wasim Raja (PCB chief Ramiz Raja’s late brother) got here to our dressing room and advised me, ‘son, you’ve got nice management in your swing, and I can see you enjoying for India in a few years.’
“Probably every future great cricketer played in that tournament. Brian Lara was captain of West Indies, Sanath Jayasuriya was playing for Sri Lanka. Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain were playing for England; Inzamam, Mushtaq Ahmed and Aaqib Javed for Pakistan; Chris Cairns for New Zealand,” recollects Virdi.
Raj Singh Dungarpur was impressed with Virdi’s bowling, and fast-tracked him into the Board Presiden’t XI in 1989 for the one-day Wills Trophy. Later that yr, he was picked for the India camp forward of the Pakistan tour.
“Sunil Gavaskar got here to me and mentioned that I used to be going to Pakistan. I used to be elated and referred to as up my household. The subsequent morning, my title was not within the touring get together. Salil Ankola was picked forward of me. I used to be livid and confronted Gavaskar. He advised me, ‘this isn’t the top of the world, you’ll get extra probabilities in future.'”
Gavaskar invited Virdi to maneuver to Mumbai, however his monetary situation was not good, so he stayed again in Chandigarh. Dennis Lillee subsequent handpicked Virdi for the MRF Pace Foundation, however thereafter, the stress fracture meant he was by no means the identical bowler once more.
“I knew my career was over, and turned my focus on my studies. I completed my undergraduation from the DAV College in Chandigarh, and in 1993, I got the job of TTE in Railways, and Chandigarh railway station is my second home since.”
In 2019, Chandigarh obtained BCCI affiliation, giving Virdi a brand new lease of life. He was appointed males’s U-19 selector, and presently, is girls’s chief selector.
“For 26 years, I used to be doing my common job, touring from one place to a different on the practice. In 2019, when UTCA was formally based, it gave me a second wind. The love for cricket was reignited. I wish to be extra energetic in cricket. I wish to do teaching programs from NCA.”
From the present U-19 crew, Virdi charges Chandigarh all-rounder Raj Angad Bawa extremely. “I’ve adopted Raj Angad’s growth very carefully. I can vouch he’ll play for India.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
