With the under-19 World Cup on, Reetinder Sodhi goes again in time when he was a part of India’s junior groups that conquered the world. Sodhi, after main India to the U-15 World Cup in 1996, was vice-captain of the U-19 group that introduced dwelling the Cup in 2000. The champion all-rounder shares these many memorable moments with Nitin Sharma.
After we received the 2000 under-19 World Cup win, an English journalist informed me one thing that I nonetheless keep in mind. “You had been the participant of the ultimate within the under-15 World Cup in 1996, now participant of the ultimate in under-19 World Cup, if you happen to win participant of the ultimate within the 2003 senior World Cup, the trilogy can be full.” Accidents meant that I couldn’t obtain that dream however the thought at the moment gave me goosebumps.
Days previous to the ultimate, I used to be witness to Yuvraj Singh’s laborious hitting knock of 56 runs towards Australia within the semi-final. We noticed balls hitting the tin roof and the thunderous sound of his bat. It was years earlier than his Champions Trophy debut and that was the primary time Yuvi confirmed his arrival to the cricketing world. That’s what the U19 World Cup taught us: To dream and to not concern.
After we received the U15 Lombards Cup, the ultimate was towards Pakistan, a group that had Shoaib Malik, Faisal Iqbal Taufeeq Umar, Hasan Raza, Bazid Khan, Yasir Arafat, Kamran Akmal. All of them went on to for the Pakistan senior facet. The Lords’ crowd went berserk celebrating our win. After we returned to India, we had been hosted by president Shankar Dayal Sharma, PM HD Devegowda and Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma. We had been younger boys and to expertise all of this was like a dream for us.
I additionally performed within the 1998 U19 World Cup in South Africa, the place Amit Pagnis was the captain. We couldn’t advance to the semis however taking part in together with my long-time junior team-mates Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Laxmi Ratan Shukla cast the idea of our life-time friendship in addition to camaraderie.
I keep in mind previous to the U19 World Cup group announcement, there was numerous wholesome competitors between me and Mohammad Kaif about who could be made the captain. Kaif was made the captain and I used to be made the vice-captain. After we received the U15 World Cup, {a magazine} had printed my image with the successful trophy on their cowl and after we received the U19 World Cup, the identical journal printed Kaif’s image with the successful trophy on their cowl web page. We share these photos even now and keep in mind all the nice instances spent.
Reetinder SIngh Sodhi, Ravneet Ricky and Yuvraj Singh put up the U19 World Cup title win at Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Particular Association)
Our coach for the U19 World Cup was 1983 World Cup winner Roger Binny sir. Throughout the apply camps and coaching, he could be a person of few phrases and extra of a person of motion. I keep in mind, I suffered a finger harm throughout the Tremendous League match towards Nepal.
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Previous to the Tremendous League match towards England, Roger sir made me endure batting as nicely fielding drills to verify my health and I used to be telling him I’m raring to go. After one apply session, he did a handshake with me and pressed my finger with some drive. He was simply checking whether or not I used to be below any ache or stress as he didn’t wish to take any danger about my harm for that one match.
My finger was 90 % proper and after I felt the ache, I didn’t present and pretended that I didn’t have any ache. Previous to the Tremendous League match towards Sri Lanka, I used to be affected by excessive fever the evening earlier than the match. Yuvraj Singh was my room-mate and he saved encouraging me that I’ve to play.
I’d take medicines and Roger sir would met me within the stadium and inform me that the match is essential and provides me confidence saying, “Sodhi, it’s an essential match and you need to play”. I scored 74 runs and took two wickets in that match and would later have a dialog with Roger sir on how he confirmed religion in me.
We performed Australia within the semifinal, a facet coached by the nice Rodney Marsh and having gamers like Shane Watson, Ed Cowan, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Hauritz and Mitchell Johnson.
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At one time, India seemed set for a complete within the vary of 240-250 earlier than Yuvraj Singh arrived on the crease with 7.1 overs to go. Yuvi would hit 5 sixes and 5 boundaries throughout his knock of 58 runs propelling our complete of 284 and we received the match by 170 runs with Anup Dave taking three wickets.
I keep in mind Yuvi telling me within the dug-out since he’s there, even I can hit the ball. “Tu Chinta na kar (Don’t you are concerned)”. And what a knock he performed. Submit the match, Rodney Marsh sir additionally patted his again. These sixes had been a few of the longest sixes I had seen in my profession.
We had been assured forward of the ultimate however we additionally knew that Sri Lanka had been taking part in at dwelling. On the eve of the match, Yuvraj, Kaif and I’d have a dialog within the lodge room and we informed one another that this opportunity is not going to come once more.
Sri Lanka batted first and will solely make 178. I gave away 26 runs in ten overs and I keep in mind Kaif made me bowl all these ten overs at a stretch. Kaif too bowled for ten overs and took one wicket for 31 runs. Usually he didn’t bowl a lot however the way in which he took the accountability was commendable. We had been wanting good however with Yuvi and Kaif departing, we had been 116 at 4. I together with Niraj Patel made positive that we win the U19 World Cup and after we received the title, all of us celebrated like youngsters. We had been youngsters solely (Laughs).
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Reetinder Singh Sodhi in his junior days. (Particular Association)
Straight after the World Cup win, six of us, Mohammed Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Anup Dave, Ajay Ratra, Venugopal Rao and I obtained chosen for the Senior Challenger Trophy and a few of us would later play for India. I keep in mind, at one level, Yuvraj Singh was fielding for India at level, me at cowl and Mohammed Kaif at mid-off for India in worldwide matches.
That’s the largest takeaway for us as junior cricketers. Over time, it has additionally resulted in a life-time bond between all of us. At junior zonal degree, I performed together with the likes of Ashish Nehra, Akash Chopra, Joginder Sharma too other than others on the junior and worldwide degree for lengthy. Thick and skinny, we’re at all times there for one another.
And people bonds additionally imply that we deliver out the laughter in addition to assist. Within the 1998 U19 World Cup, I obtained run out towards Pakistan and Bhajju (Harbhajan Singh) would taunt me, ‘Oh Sodhi, kithe bhaj chalya si (The place had been you working?)’.
Years later, when accidents would curtail my worldwide profession, Bhajju would usually name me to assist. “You don’t examine or see me or Yuvi. Rab da shukar kar ki rab ne tainu India khilaya (Thank god that he made you play for India). There are a lot of, who don’t get the possibility,” He would inform me.
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For Vaibhav Suryavanshi and the group, I see the U19 World Cup to point out the world that they belong to the worldwide degree and like prior to now, lots of them can play for India for years to come back and stamp their authority. Taking part in for India at senior degree and successful World Cups stays the head.
Reetinder Sodhi was the captain of U15 1996 Lombards World Cup and vice-captain of 2000 U19 World Cup successful Indian group and performed 18 ODIs for India. Sodhi spoke with Nitin Sharma