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Aiming at big knocks
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With the right attitude towards the game, P. Akshath Reddy is a shining example for many a young cricketer, writes ABHIJIT SEN GUPTA
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Photo: P.V.SivaKumar
WITH THE popularity of one-day cricket seemingly all pervasive, the youngsters who are coming up in the game often tend to go for their shots from the first ball. While this is a prime requirement these days under the limited overs format, it also has a drawback in that it sometimes prevents youngsters from acquiring the ability to build up their innings and come up with a big knock.
But one youngster who is an exception is P. Akshath Reddy who represented Hyderabad in the KSCA south zone inter state under-13 cricket tournament in Bangalore recently and came up with a fine knock of 226 not out against the host team. His marathon innings lasted 427 minutes during which he faced 331 balls and hit 30 boundaries.
Incidentally this was the second time that this boy from Hyderabad has scored a double century at the junior level. Clearly here is a boy with a penchant for big scores - a rare quality and one, which needs to be encouraged and developed further. The budding young player seems to have the right temperament and determination besides the physical endurance and sound stroke play to pile up big knocks.
Young Akshath has not become complacent after his early success. Several hours of daily practice with single-minded dedication, and the willpower to sacrifice the various enjoyable activities that normally attract boys of his age, are the qualities that have enabled this youngster to develop his talent. "I am a more confident player now than I was two years ago," asserts Akshath.
His double hundred came in Hyderabad's very first match, which was played against Karnataka. The match eventually ended in a draw. In the second match however Hyderabad lost to Tamil Nadu and in the third match Hyderabad got the first innings lead in a drawn contest against Kerala. Playing against Goa in the fourth match, Akshath again came good, this time scoring an unbeaten 146 which helped Hyderabad to register an outright win over Goa. In the next match Akshath scored a sound 84 as Hyderabad again managed to wrest the first innings lead against Andhra. For Akshat the tournament was a grand success.
Akshath is a great fan of Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne. Incidentally Akshath also bowls leg spin and therefore it is but natural that he would admire the flamboyant Aussie leg spinner who is considered by many to be the best in the world at present. Besides cricket, Akshath is fond of baseball.
The VIII standard student of All Saints High School in Hyderabad has received a lot of encouragement from his father P. Narasimha Reddy. His earlier achievements inlcude an unbeaten 99 in the Pepsi Cup conducted by Brijesh Patel Academy and his career best bowling performance was a haul of five wickets for eight runs against HPS Begumpet in an inter school championship. He also has a knock of 125 against Jai Prakash Sports Coaching Academy of Bangalore.
Akshath started in the game at the age of three under the tutelage of Brahmam and Janardhan Reddy of SAAP, A.G. Prasad and Vijay Mohan Raj , former Ranji trophy player before coming under the guidance of Denzil Balm who has been coaching him right from the age of seven when the boy first joined the cricket academy at All Saints High School. Coaches Manohar Reddy and Vijay Kumar of Hindi Mahavidyalaya have also contributed towards shaping his career. Akshath says he has also received a lot of support from the school management particularly the Principal Bro. George. According to Denzil Balm the combined efforts of all concerned and Akshath's own hard work and sacrifices should take this promising youngster to greater heights in the near future.
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