Like each different Indian cricketer, Ankit Bawne, too, dreamed of donning the nationwide cap, when he began his home cricket profession. However 19 years and 8327 First-class runs later, the Maharashtra batter has made peace with the truth that he might not break into the Indian workforce. However that doesn’t cease him from piling up runs, 12 months after 12 months.
Overcoming a hunch in type within the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, the 33-year-old bounced again within the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 154 runs in three innings, and hopes to maintain the momentum going towards Mumbai on Saturday.
“Yearly, I include the identical pleasure to attain runs and win video games,” he informed Sportstar. “I like batting, I like profitable video games for my State, and that offers me happiness. So, I don’t complicate issues, when it comes to the place to succeed in, the place to go, what’s my future. I simply hold taking part in…”
Just a few years in the past, whereas main India A, Bawne had an extended dialog with the then coach Rahul Dravid, which modified his notion about life and, after all, the sport. “Rahul sir informed me that there’s a cut-throat competitors anyway, and when you put your self in that race, neither are you able to take pleasure in life, nor cricket. And, that’s when my complete notion modified,” he mentioned.
“I took Rahul sir’s phrases significantly, and that’s why I’ve been capable of rating runs each season, as a result of I’m mentally sorted. If I nonetheless take into consideration the ought to or would have been, I wouldn’t be capable to do something. So, it’s necessary to be reasonable and perceive that there’s a life past cricket as nicely…”
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In his lengthy profession, the seasoned batter has had stints with India A, West Zone and likewise Delhi Daredevils – however all these experiences have taught him that it is very important keep within the current. “The match ends at 5 o’clock. And, that’s when one ought to change off. If I hold being pressured about my recreation and what would occur, I’ll by no means be capable to be pleased. So, the aim is to be pleased. And, cricket provides me that happiness,” he mentioned. “I’ve to provide extra years to cricket. I’ve to do nicely, and my purpose is to win a Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra, which has by no means occurred in so a few years…”
Having performed greater than 300 matches in his profession, throughout codecs, Bawne set himself a goal a number of years in the past, as he determined to give attention to his weight loss plan. That, he believes, has helped. “I don’t go away my health routine. I’m very strict about my weight loss plan, I don’t wish to eat junk meals. So, I mainly have a high-protein, low-carb weight loss plan to take care of myself,” he mentioned, including with a smile: “I believe it has develop into part of my way of life, I wish to do it even when I’m not taking part in…”
Over time, cricket has taken him locations, and with that the space along with his household has grown wider. And conserving that in thoughts, a number of years in the past, Bawne determined to spend extra time along with his mother and father, and be round them in Pune. That, based on him, has helped immensely.
“I’m a single baby. I’ve been taking part in Ranji Trophy since I used to be 14, so over the past 20 odd years, I by no means received to spend time with my household. With cricket comes countless travelling – at this time you’re in Chennai, tomorrow in Dhaka, day after elsewhere, and you’re away from residence for months,” he mentioned.
“So, I not often received time with my mother and father. As their son, it’s my duty to provide them happiness. So, I assumed I used to be being unfair to them, so I consciously determined to be round them, and I can see them being so pleased. Over the previous few years, I’ve develop into very near my household… After we play in Pune, I am going to the venue from residence, and once more come again on the finish of the day, slightly than going to a resort…”
And as Bawne factors out, there may be extra to life past scores and statistics. And, that’s why, he believes in switching off after the day’s play. That point is for the household and for Bawne to rewind and begin afresh.
Revealed on Jan 01, 2026