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Photo: M. Moorthy

Standing example Committed cricketer

“We were a group of youngsters with a hunger to achieve. And our opposition (World XI and Pakistan XI) had some of the greatest players the game has ever seen. But we had in us the courage and determination to beat the best,” says the talented cricketer.

The news of being appointed the captain of India XI, according to Sathish, came as a pleasant surprise. “It is not a dream come true, because I had never dreamt of leading the team. The victory was a credit to team effort and I hope the boys would cherish the success for a long time to come,” he says.

Interestingly, Sathish considers leading the Chennai Superstars team in the ICL domestic league (in the absence of Stuart Law), as a much bigger challenge. “The India XI side had players who are young and also I knew them well. But captaining the Chennai Superstars team was a different experience as some seasoned players like Adam Parore, Ian Harvey and Russell Arnold were part of it. I got to learn a lot from them,” he says.

Sathish also makes a special mention about the key role played by India XI’s coach and former Australian wicketkeeper Steve Rixon in the team’s success. “Rixon’s valuable advice proved vital during crucial moments of many encounters.”

Sathish has no regrets for joining ICL and says the league gave him the much-needed encouragement when the chips were down. “I performed to my best in Ranji Trophy matches, but my efforts went unnoticed. At a time when a cloud of uncertainty loomed large over my cricketing career, ICL came as a boon,” he explains.

Sathish feels that ICL has won the support of the people what with the matches enjoying good patronage. “Even I think lot more talented youngsters are interested in joining ICL and the authorities are also planning to start academies in the districts to encourage budding cricketers. I also hope that International Cricket Council (ICC) would recognise ICL soon,” he says.

Sathish is now in action at England playing for the Whalley Cricket Club and wishes to do well in the overseas assignment as well.

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