Ashok Menaria walked over for tea on the finish of the second session with 4 Haryana gamers, chatting and laughing on the counter. For the kids, the 34-year-old is greater than only a senior participant within the facet; he’s somebody they will jovially hang around with.
Fighting a knee harm, Menaria finds it powerful to play each match now. So, when Haryana started its home season in opposition to Bengal within the Buchi Babu Invitational in Chennai on Monday, he placed on the mentor’s cap — a task he says comes naturally. “No matter I do know, I attempt to go on — from tales to motivation,” he tells Sportstar. “If you wish to complicate cricket, you’ll be able to. If you wish to make it simple, it’s simple too.”
For him, the sport was at all times about pleasure first. “None of us began cricket as a result of we wished to play for India. Again then, no one even knew, or hoped. It was simply enjoyable. For those who take the enjoyable out of it, this sport turns into very powerful.”
Menaria has lived by way of that wrestle. Accidents meant he couldn’t push in direction of nationwide choice like his batchmates Ok.L. Rahul and Jaydev Unadkat did. “I can hold pondering KL [Rahul] did this, Jaydev did that, or I can settle for that this was my future. I by no means thought I’d even play one match for the board. Immediately, I’ve performed near 100 First Class video games. That’s a lot forward of the place I began.”
“There was a time once I was operating behind issues, doing additional efforts, however the outcomes didn’t come from that. That you must have your future; if there’s no future, then nothing can occur,” he provides.
FILE PHOTO: Having moved from Rajasthan to Haryana in 2023, Menaria is attempting to information the youthful gamers as he strikes in direction of the twilight of his profession.
| Photograph Credit score:
VIJAY SONEJI/ The Hindu
FILE PHOTO: Having moved from Rajasthan to Haryana in 2023, Menaria is attempting to information the youthful gamers as he strikes in direction of the twilight of his profession.
| Photograph Credit score:
VIJAY SONEJI/ The Hindu
Having moved from Rajasthan to Haryana in 2023, Menaria is attempting to information the youthful gamers as he strikes in direction of the twilight of his profession. His message to them is straightforward: you belong. “A boy from a district typically worries in regards to the metropolis tradition, English, and garments. However as a cricketer, it’s completely different. My job is to inform him he doesn’t want to vary something.”
It comes from his personal experiences. “I additionally got here from a small place (Udaipur in Rajasthan), captained India Beneath-19 (World Cup 2009), and had the identical insecurities. So, when somebody from a lower-middle-class background feels misplaced, I can inform him ‘You’re high quality’. Don’t attempt to change your self.”
He sees mentoring as simply an extension of captaincy. “As a captain, you handle everybody, however you don’t educate. Right here I can share concepts, techniques, and mindset. I’m not a coach, and I don’t need to complicate issues.”
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That additionally extends to how he frames Haryana’s status. “Individuals hear somebody is from Haryana and take a step again. Tremendous. Carry that notion onto the sphere. Allow them to really feel a Haryana participant has arrived. Sports activities, anger, perspective — sure, that’s us. And we’ll hold it that manner.”
Within the just lately held India tour of England, Haryana’s Anshul Kamboj acquired a late call-up and was handed his debut within the Manchester Take a look at. Regardless of the workforce incomes a draw, the pacer obtained flak on social media for his efficiency.
Menaria opined that each sports activities individual might want to settle for that that is sure to occur and there’s no hiding from it.
“The great thing about a sportsperson is maturity. You don’t blast off at criticism. For those who do nicely, they’ll reward you. For those who don’t, the identical individuals will write in opposition to you. First time it hits you laborious, however later you realise it’s routine.