Xtra Time Web Desk : Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Shahbaz Ahmed is a perfect example of how self-belief can pave the way for success. For someone coming from a remote village in Mewat in Haryana to successfully performing on a stage like the Indian Premier League, it speaks volumes of the youngster’s self-determination.
On Tuesday night, Shahbaz proved once again that he has the perfect temperament to taste success on big stage. Royal Challengers Bangalore was staring at a huge defeat after being reduced to 87/5, chasing a target of 170 runs to win. But together with Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz put on a match winning partnership of 67 runs from 33 balls, which paved the way for an emphatic 4 wicket win for RCB with five balls to spare. Shahbaz smashed a breath taking 26 ball 45 which included 3 sixes and four boundaries. Still requiring 28 runs to win from 18 balls, Shahbaz decided to launch into Rajasthan Royal’s fast bowling spearhead Trent Boult, smashing him for a six and a four in the 18th over before getting bowled by the Kiwi pacer.
Shahbaz’s journey to the big stage was not easy at all. He had a few issues with his address during the early phases of his career. However, after starting his career with Bengal, Shahbaz did not look back. Director of Cricket at Cricket Association of Bengal, Joydeep Mukherjee was instrumental in Shahbaz landing up an IPL contract with the Bangalore franchise. It was Joydeep who convinced RCB Head Coach Simon Katich to take the promising all-rounder at the IPL 2020 auctions for his base price of INR 20 lakhs. During the IPL 2022 mega auctions, Shahbaz was involved in a fierce bidding war between Kolkata Knight Riders and RCB before the Bangalore based franchise getting him for INR 2.4 crore.
Batting at No.7 for Bengal, Shahbaz had so far scored 509 runs at 36.35, most of them have come in a situation with his side in back-to-the-wall situations. The talented left hander turned certain defeat into victory. He had also taken 35 wickets at an average of 16.80 in a remarkable effort for his first full season of playing. Shahbaz recently became the seventh bowler from Bengal to take a hat-trick in the Ranji Trophy.
The youngster, who look up to Ravindra Jadeja as his idol is making rapid strides as an all-rounder. With a string of consistent performances under his belt already in the ongoing IPL season, Shahbaz Ahmed is turning out to be the ‘X’ factor for RCB.