11 year-old joins the big league

But is he equipped to cross swords with the big boys?

K Virat Karthik picks up the ball from the fine leg fence and throws in but the first slip fielder has to come to the onside and pick up the throw half way down as the ball does not reach the stumps. All of 11 years, the once Delhi Public School student (this year he has left school and is home schooling) is blooded into the three-day league format of the Hyderabad Cricket Association.

Too young to take on the big boys, Karthik nevertheless finds himself amongst them. There have been several instances when smaller boys were forced into the big league but in the case of Karthik, it seems is a little too early.

Vijaya Paul, who spotted Ambatti Rayudu and Pragyan Ohja reminisces, “When I pushed Rayudu in the two-day league he was 13-years-old and he scored a hundred in the very first match. But then he was an exceptional talent. I do not agree with the idea of sending a 11-year old boy to bat in a three day game.”

When asked if they are doing the right thing, K Bharani, Karthik’s father, said, “Given a choice even I do not agree but then I left it to the coach Syed Miraj. My duty is to only provide the best facilities and I do not interfere with the decision of the coach.”

Turning up for India Cements, in the first match, Karthik played for 27 overs and scored 8 runs. The boy can stay at the wicket but what if he gets difficult tracks to bat on and there is also a question of the opposition not playing up to their potential seeing a young boy at the other end.

Santhosh, former trainer of Deccan Chargers Junior team, says, “If the boy had scored a string of hundreds consistently at the school level there would have been some justification.” Former cricketers say that the best way to climb the ladder is to first play against your own age-group.

Karthik has also another issue as he is not representing any school. The selections to the state team would be difficult. He cannot turn up for inter-school tournaments. But Karthik is keen to soldier along and is looking forward to the next match. For all we know, he may prove all his detractors wrong and that is something one wishes in earnest.

By T P Venu