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The lone fighter
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Deccan Chargers’ Venugopal was the only player to fight back
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Photo: V. V. Krishnan
In form Y. Venugopal Rao
The Deccan Chargers went down to yet another defeat when it lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the DLF-IPL cricket match recently at Hyderabad. For the Chargers a semi final berth now seems out of reach. But Y. Venugopal Rao provided the Hyderabad crow
d some consolation with his rousing display late in the match.
Despite the fact that the contest began in the heat of the afternoon the fixture drew the maximum number of spectators seen in any IPL match so far at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium. And when Venu began slamming the ball to all parts of the ground, the spectators finally had something to cheer about.
Born on February 26, 1982 in Visakhapatnam this gifted player has had plenty of exposure, having played for teams such as India, Andhra, Deccan Chargers, India A, Indian Board President’s XI and even the Rajasthan Cricket Association President’s XI.
Many experts have often opined that he has a lot of potential but surprisingly he has yet to make a major impact on the national and international scene. However, occasionally a fortunate few have got the opportunity to see him in full cry as it happened on Sunday when he cut loose in a truly regal manner.
His timing and his stroke selection were perfect and all the rival bowlers had to bear the brunt of his blows. His knock of 71 off only 42 balls with the help four fours and six sixes ensured that at least one batsman from Hyderabad was there to fight back against the Kolkata bowlers.
Later Adam Gilchrist, the stand in skipper of Deccan Chargers had a word of praise for Venu’s fighting knock. The famed Australian described it as one of the positive points to have emerged from the match. According to Gilchrist the innings that Venu played was absolutely brilliant.
But this was not the first time that Venu has pulled off a really creditable feat. Not many will forget his double century for South Zone against England “A”.
He had also been a member of the Indian team that won the Under-19 World Cup in 2002.
Despite a modest beginning in international cricket, many feel that Venugopal has the requirements to cement a place in the national side. And if he continues to display the kind of form and focus he did against Kolkata Knight Riders, his career is bound to rise to new heights very soon.
ABHIJIT SEN GUPTA
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