Hyderabad: As MSK Prasad led selection committee announced 15-men Indian T20 squad three Rajasthan cricketers have made cut in the squad for the tour of Windies for the first time. Left-arm fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed and Chahar brothers- right-arm seamer Deepak and spinner Rahul have been selected for the Caribbean tour.
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This move came at a time when the Rajasthan Cricket Board (RCB) continues to remain suspended by the BCCI. When the state board is serving a suspension for an indefinite period selection of these three youngsters have shown the brighter side of cricket in the state.
Though the board ruined itself, cricketers have taken the responsibility to shoulder the legacy of the state. Nevertheless, the selection of Khaleel, Deepak and Rahul is a good sign for the health of cricket in the state. And their selection happened due to India's decision to add fresh blood to the team.
“I am glad that I have been given a chance and I see it as a long-term opportunity to cement my place in Team India for the next 10 years,” said Khaleel who is currently playing for India A against Windies A in Antigua.
Deepak and Rahul are also travelling with India A squad which will help them to get accustomed to the conditions in the Caribbean before the T20I series begins on August 3.
While Khaleel and Deepak made a comeback to the squad, 19-year-old Rahul is a new face in the national side. He got the reward for his outstanding performance for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019.
Both Khaleel and Deepak have been in great form. Their exploits in IPL as well as in domestic cricket helped them to bag the ticket for the Caribbean. Khaleel has scalped 4 wickets giving away 67 runs against Windies A at Coolidge in a List-A cricket team of late. Both Deepak and Rahul are also among the wickets in the just-concluded India A's tour of Windies.
However, it was not an easy task for the trio to carry on with their passion at a time when there was hardly any support for them from the state board. But they didn't bow down to the hostile situation. They fought with it and broke the barrier to make a profession out of cricket.
So, it was a pleasing moment for the Chahar family.
“We are elated. We have waited for this day for so long and it’s finally here,” said Malti Chahar, Deepak’s sister.
Rahul was introduced to the game by Deepak's father who now runs a cricket academy in Agra, their native city.
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Talking about the Chahar duo Malti said, “He was a naughty kid who was not into studies. When he was in class four, papa made him bat while Deepak used to practice his bowling. At that time, when he would occasionally roll his arm, my father noticed in Rahul a making of a good spinner. And since then there is no looking back."
The diminutive leg-spinner had a remarkable domestic season. In the 2018-19 season, he took the burden of spin bowling on his young shoulders and returned with the figures of 41 wickets in 10 matches. While playing for Mumbai Indians his performance even drew appreciation from legend Sachin Tendulkar.
