Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Jan 30: Hailing from a small village namely Shiganpora, near Sumbal in district Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir ace cricketer Manzoor Dar, popularly known as ‘Pandav’ is waiting in the wings to play for Priety Zinta’s King’s XI Punjab, the team which has picked this explosive batting all-rounder for IPL 2018 Edition. The ace all-rounder is excited to share the dressing room with the likes of Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, David Miller, Yuvraj Singh and Ravi Chandran Ashwin. From working as a labourer on a daily wage of Rs 60 and as a Night Guard with a local company in his native town to fetching an IPL contract worth Rs 20 lakh, Pandav has covered a distance more awe-inspiring than the 100-meter sixes he is known for.
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Considering the hardships he has faced, the IPL contract with Kings XI Punjab is a life-changing moment for the big-hitting sensation, who finally foresees better times for him and his large family living in a nondescript village in Bandipora district.
In an exclusive Interview with this Correspondent, Mr Dar talked about his hardships, excitement and preparations for the mega event.
Excerpts:
Q. Were you expecting a contract in IPL 2018 Edition?
A. Frankly speaking, I was in a fix as on the one hand, I thought that I may get a contract for my good performances in the shorter version of the game from last two seasons, but on the other hand, I could not believe that I will be picked among the big names in the fray. However, the shortlist of 578 players for the auction, out of a total of 1122 players, gave me some hope for the selection. My strike rate was one of my biggest positives. Moreover, I was invited by Rajasthan Royals for trials before the auction.
Q. How do you feel to be part of star-studded Kings XI Punjab?
A. It is an amazing feeling rather I feel ecstatic and blissful to share the dressing room with World’s top cricketers like Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch, David Miller, Yuvraj Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin, besides having the company of cricket legend Virender Sehwag as the Team Director and Priety Zinta as the owner. However, the contract has put more responsibility on my shoulders and I have to work harder to be successful.
Q. How will you prepare yourself for this mega event?
A. I will stick to the basics and will do routine fitness training & practice, and will try to meditate and focus on the psychological part of the game to gain mental toughness, which is the ‘mantra’ to blossom at the highest level. Presently, I am in Jammu in connection with the selection trials for the Vijay Hazare One Day Tournament. If I get the selectors nod for this Tournament, it will also serve me to prepare for the bigger event.
Q. Would you like to name anybody whom you attribute your success?
A. First of all my father and mother, who brought me up and guided and goaded me like beacon lights to achieve targets despite all odds. Moreover, all those Cricket Club owners and office bearers for which I played, especially the representatives of my present Club UCC Srinagar including Mr Lateef, Mr Muzzafar Jan (Jonny) and Mohd Ashraf, who helped me a lot in carrying my cricketing activities. I will also attribute my success to my mentors, well wishers and the coaches at all stages and in all formats. I have also played for Kashmir Gymkhana, ACC, City Club, besides local Clubs in my native town.
Q. Whom would you like to thank for this great opportunity?
A. I am really thankful to God for this opportunity, also to Director KXIP, Virender Sehwag and Preity Zinta mam. My life has been full of struggle and now I feel that I can live a better life by running the affairs of my large family comfortably. I am the eldest brother among four brothers and equal number of sisters.
Q. You are nick named as ‘Pandav’. Why?
A. I was in seventh grade and we were playing a zonal kabaddi match. Five points were needed and I raided into the rival area and dragged three players to my side. The players started calling me ‘Pandav’. The entire Jammu and Kashmir State knows me by this name only.
Q. It is learnt that you were a good Kabaddi player in your childhood. Tell us about the transformation from Kabaddi to Cricket?
A. I used to play Kabaddi and Cricket simultaneously, but it was not until 2011 when I started thinking that cricket could be a long-term career option. I was a 10th class student, when I first entered Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar and had a feel of turf wicket.
Q. How do you make balance between cricket and family affairs?
A. I have worked as a labour, a Night Guard for five long years to earn little money for the education of younger sisters and brothers, some of whom have graduated now, apart for saving some money to run my cricket activities. While doing my duty as a Night Guard, I used to travel some distance by a bus meant for carrying Engineering College students and the rest by my bicycle.
Q. J&K U-23 team has become North Zone topper. Any Comment?
A. It is a great moment for the entire State. Now, the senior State team will have healthy bench strength at hand. There are so many good players in this team.
Q. Any message for budding cricketers?
A. The budding cricketers of the state should get inspiration from their own International cricketer Parvez Rasool and should leave no stone unturned in achieving their goals. When I can make it to the bigger level, why can’t they. I would ask them to work hard for achieving goals.
Q. Your Favorite player?
A. Sachin Tendulkar.
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