MUMBAI: After Tilak Varma last year, Nihal Wadhera and Akash Madhwal have emerged as fine discoveries from the Mumbai Indians' stable this time. Clearly the talent scouts at MI seem to be doing something right, something that former New Zealand opener and ex-India coach John Wright, who's with the franchise, understands.
"It is great when you watch these young players from all over the country and identify them. When you happen to secure relatively young talent and they go on to perform, it is very rewarding for us. We have a great group of ex-players, some of whom I coached and some of whom I played against. Some of them were selectors when I was India coach. There is a lot of knowledge in that group," Wright told TOI in an exclusive chat on Friday.
Though he's currently out with a niggle, Varma enjoyed a good IPL this time too, scoring 274 runs in 9 games@45. 66, at a strike rate of 158. 38. While India and MI skipper Rohit Sharma dubbed the 20-year-old a future India player in all formats, Wright feels that the talented youngster could be playing for the country "even in a few months' time."
"I have no doubt that he will play for India. Time will take its course. There are other players that you have to compete with for that opportunity. He's going to have to earn that and you don't want to put too much pressure on any young player. His numbers are fantastic, and they are going to put a lot of pressure on the incumbents. It wouldn't be surprising if he plays for India in 2-3 years or even in a few months," Wright said.
Wright was all praise for the MI Junior tournament.
"I can only go back to my childhood. When you g et that opportunity as a 12, 13 or 14-year-old, it is very important. In my case, I was playing against Sir Richard Hadlee when I got to high school. I think it is a great initiative and the more, the better. It should be replicated everywhere," Wright said.
Jhulan backs Saika
Meanwhile, former India women's team pace great Jhulan Goswami, who's the bowling coach and mentor of the Mumbai Indians women's team, which won the inaugural Women's Premier League title in March in Mumbai, stressed that her side's left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque should be playing for India soon, considering the way she performed for MI in the IPL, taking 15 wickets in 10 games@16.26.
"I have known Saika since her childhood. She has always been a very good performer for Bengal and she continued that in the WPL for MI. Selectors should consider her and give her an opportunity. The way she performed in the WPL was remarkable. I hope the selectors consider her and she gets an opportunity to play for India," Goswami said.
The legend of the women's game felt that domestic cricketers, who largely were overshadowed by international stars in WPL, needed to be given "some time" before they put in noticeable performances. "This was the first time that they were playing such a big tournament. Give them some time. They will come harder next year. There definitely was a big gap in the opening season but the domestic players are going to work hard and narrow that gap in upcoming seasons. I am sure of that happening," Goswami said.
Quizzed on how India could discover more match-winning pacers like her, Goswami said, "I don't know but there are quality bowlers who are constantly working and improving on their skills. I am confident that they'll win many matches for the country."
Hailing MI's junior tournament for girls, Goswami revealed that she never had an opportunity to play in an under-15 tournament, because nothing like that existed back then. "It is really good that MI is encouraging so many girls to take up sports professionally. So many girls are coming forward and participating. Earlier it was not there. If you're U15/U16 and have a school team, you can participate and get great exposure. It is a great initiative and a lot of youngsters are getting this platform. Maybe a Mumbai selector or administrator notices their talent here and considers them for upcoming tournaments. When I was young, I never played U-15 tournaments. I never played school cricket. I hope we see many more cricketers from programs like this representing the country. Grassroot development is always key and I hope others also come up with initiatives like these. Grassroots is where you can find serious talent," Goswami said.
