Internet Desk: After Virat Kohli, Indian cricket has got another lad from Delhi who has the shoulders, on which the entire nation can bank on. Manjot Kalra, is no more an unknown identity, specially after his sensational century under pressure in the U19 World Cup Final.
There is a saying in Delhi cricket: ‘You become a star only if you are not a product of the system’ and India’s U-19 World Cup hero Manjot Kalra is a perfect example.
Whether it was maverick Virender Sehwag or a brash Virat Kohli — everyone had tales to tell about the kind of treatment they got from Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) at least once during their junior or senior days.
Kohli had in fact had gone on record how he was left heartbroken when he was not selected for a Delhi U-15 team in his first year despite scoring tons of runs.
And latest star in the making Manjot’s case is also no different as he had to fight multiple allegations of age-fraud before he shone brightest at the world stage – a hundred in the U-19 World Cup final against Australia emulating Unmukt Chand’s feat in the 2012 edition.
“He (Manjot) is a good kid. Obedient and hardworking. But I would give a lot of credit to his father Parveen and mother Ranjeet as they were so passionate.
“Parveen had sent his elder son Hitesh to me but he couldn’t make it big and now helps his father in their family business. But Parveen and Hitesh were very keen that I guide Manjot and I am happy that the kid has done well,” said Bhardwaj, known for being Delhi’s best talent spotter apart from Tarak Sinha.
But a few months back, life was not a bed of roses for Adarsh Nagar resident Parveen Kalra, who is a well-off fruits wholesaler at Azadpur Sabzi Mandi (Delhi’s biggest fruit and vegetable market).
A few parents complained to DDCA administrator Justice (Retd) Vijkramajit Sen that Manjot’s age is fudged.
In fact, a faction in DDCA had filed an FIR against a number of junior cricketers couple of years back with Manjot’s name figuring in that list.
The BCCI by then had done his age-verification tests, which he had passed but to be a part of Delhi’s U-19 squad, his medical reports were once again sought. This, at a time when he was already a part of India U-19 probables.