“Cricket is a hard work game but luck plays a big role”: Lakhan Arjun Rawat - The India Saga

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“Cricket is a hard work game but luck plays a big role”: Lakhan Arjun Rawat

Lakhan Arjun Rawat is touted as the next big thing of Indian Cricket. The 21-year-old cricketer made his list A…

“Cricket is a hard work game but luck plays a big role”: Lakhan Arjun Rawat

Lakhan Arjun Rawat is touted as the next big thing of Indian Cricket. The 21-year-old cricketer made his list A debut for Manipur in 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 19th September 2018 and his first-class debut for Manipur in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy on 1st November 2018.

The soft-spoken right-hander was in an exclusive interview. Here are the excerpts:

Tell us about your childhood dreams and how you start your cricket journey?

I belong from Bulandshahr, a small city in Uttar Pradesh. Completed my schooling from Nirmal Convent DPS, Bulandshahr. Recalling the times when I was hardly 5-6 years old, cricket was one of the most recognised sports and my father used to watch each match on the television. Inspired by everything happening around, I started playing Gully Cricket all day and night. Slowly my father realised my passion for the sport and took me to my first coach, Munesh Giri. He trained me for almost 5 years. I played at different junior level tournaments all my childhood.

What was the turning point in your life?

After my early years in Bulandshahr, I went to Meerut for further training under well-acknowledged coaches, Sanjay Rastogi and Vipin Vats. Moved to Greater Noida and performed in a few local tournaments. This gave me the confidence to get into under 19 squads in 2015. I won up the title that year.

But my fate decided something else, I suffered through a major injury the very next year which cost me 1.5 years of my career.

Who was your coach? How did you make a comeback?

My biggest strength became my forever coach Mr Ajay Raj. He spent 4-5 hours daily for my training and even shifted his base from Bulandshahar to greater Noida just for me.

Making a comeback I joined up Ranji Probables Team and played against Jammu and Kashmir. I was the first person called as professional for a Ranji Team after selectors got impressed by the videos I posted of my batting against J&K.

How was your experience in Ranji Matches?

After scoring a needy 70 in my Ranji debut I followed it by another 82 in the next match against Uttarakhand. Two matches went on a low and again I smashed a 60 odd in the fourth innings of our match again Nagaland to take my team home. In the 5 matches, I played I scored three 50+ scores.

Being an aggressive batsman I am aiming for IPL at the moment and have been in contacts with a few teams.

What gives you strength and inspiration to keep up with the struggle?

My parents are my biggest strength. We are very open to each other and share a strong bond. My mother helped me come out of depression when I was recovering from injury. Seeing me struggling and in tension, she introduced yoga in my life, she made sure I wake up at 4:30 AM daily for meditation and the results were beyond imagination.

My father is always excited about my matches he keeps an eye on all my matches and performances. They have sacrificed a lot. Even though major financial breakdowns in my family, they made sure I have all the necessities no matter how and they never let me suffer from any crisis.

I can never compensate for the efforts that they made for me. By gods blessing, we have overcome it all and took a giant step progressing. I hand all my match fees and income to my mother. My father always used to say, ÂJO AANSU BAHANE SE NA MILE, WO PASEENA BAHANE SE ZARUR MILTA HAI these words gives me inspiration. They motivate me to work harder whenever things are not in our favour 

Based on your experience what would you like to convey to the other players

ÂCricket is a hard work game but luck plays a big roleÂ, it’s always practical to have some backup. I have seen things turning around in a day or two. My friends and players who were struggling to make it into state squads, now have India Caps. That how it goes.

A little request to all the cricket lovers, your team always play hard to keep up to your expectations, please be a little calm and understand the highs and lows a cricket player or any sportsperson faces. We respect the support you provide in our highs, just donÂt give up on us in our lows. We work really hard to keep up your expectations.

Last I would like to say, Âbe it life or cricket ise jitna simple banakar rakhoge utna enjoy kar sakoge otherwise i have seen people and myself too getting in complications and making things difficult out of nowhereÂ.

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