Shubham,Rasool would bring laurels to J&K: Omar

Sudhir Kumar. Dated: 7/15/2013 11:14:10 PM

JAMMU, July 15: Finally, Chief minister Omar Abdullah had got little time to express confidence that cricketers Parvez Rasool and Shubham Khajuria would bring laurels to the state through good performance in the international arena.
However, the minister for Youth Services and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud din who is looking after the welfare of sports persons in the state could not find any time to wish Shubham Khajuria a grand success on the becoming member of India 'A' team. It seems either he (Taj) is not interested in running sports ministry or having very less knowledge that It will take more than ten years for a player to reach at this level.
While chairing a meeting of the Jammu District Development Board, Omar said they would bring laurels to the Jammu and Kashmir state by their outstanding performance. .
Young all-rounder Rasool created history by becoming the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be named in the Indian team as the selectors opted to rest captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and four other key players for the upcoming ODI tour of Zimbabwe.
The 24-year-old Rasool, who has been in contention for national selection for a while now after a string of impressive performances, got the nod in the 15-member squad with the selectors preferring to go in with a young team for the five-match ODI series, to be held from July 24 to August 3 at Harare and Bulawayo.
Khajuria is only the second cricketer from the state to be picked for the India under-19 team for the tour of Sri Lanka. Before Khajuria, the last player from Jammu and Kashmir to play for India colts was lanky pacer Abid Nabi.
Union minister and JKCA president Dr Farooq Abdullah has announced a cash reward of Rs two lakh for Khajuria in recognition of his outstanding performance at the national level and his subsequent selection in the India under-19 team for the Lanka tour.
SHUBHAM KHAJURIA: For young Shubham Khajuria, who became only the cricketer from the Jammu to earn a place in the India Under-19 squad, Gautam Gambhir played a key role in shaping up his career. He credits the out-of-favour India left-hander for helping him evolve as an opener.
"He (Gambhir) told me how to prepare for a big match and what mindset a player should carry to the field while opening the innings," said the 17-year-old lad from Jammu. Shubham plays for ONGC in the off-season tournaments and it was there he got to meet the likes of Virender Sehwag, Gambhir and Virat Kohli.
"It always helps being in the company of players like Virender Sehwag and Gambhir. There is always a lot to learn from their experiences," said a confident Shubham, who was not surprised at his selection in the India U-19 team.
"It was not a surprise. If you look at my recent record in U-19, I was the highest run getter in the Cooch Behar Trophy with 707 runs, including three century knocks. So I knew I will get my opportunity," he added.
Asked about the influence former coach Bishan Singh Bedi has left on the Jammu and Kashmir team, Shubham said: "Bedi sir instilled an attitude of playing fearless cricket in us. He has been a great influence."
"Bedi sir taught us the mental aspect of the game. He stressed upon mental and physical fitness and that has helped us a lot. If you see every player has got some talent but it is these two aspects which differentiates best from the rest," said Shubham. Shubham was also full of praise for his childhood coach Virender Sharma.
"Virender sir has been coaching me since I was eight or nine. He has been instrumental in my success. Whenever I am in doubt I rush to him for advice and he has always been welcoming," he said. Shubham is a big fan of Suresh Raina, who had made a great impact on the youngster.

 

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