In Hardeep lies Bahrain’s future

It hasn’t been easy though. Hardeep’s tryst with cricket began when he started playing tennis ball cricket with friends in a Manama compound around eight years ago in the Arab country. But lack of professional cricket in Bahrain at that time marred Hardeep’s chances and it was then that a team of schoolboys got together and Bahrain Cricket Association (BCA) came into existence in 2003. Very soon,inter-school competitions and inter-club cricket came to the fore and BCA came under the wings of Asian Cricket Council. Since Hardeep was a regular in schools’ cricket he competed for the national U-15 team and was shortlisted. He was then selected as a reserve for a tour to Malaysia followed by a berth in Bahrain U-17 squad for ACC under-17 championship in Nepal.

But for former Pakistan fast bowler-turned Bahrain coach Mohsin Kamal all this would not have been possible. Hardeep impressed BCA selectors and Mohsin when he topped Bahrain’s bowling averages in the U-19 ACC Challenge Cup in Thailand earlier this month. His match-winning figures of 3 for 20 helped his team beat Thailand in the final of the tournament.

“Mohsin has certainly streamlined cricket in Bahrain. He has been coaching me in order to improve my all-round skills. I am working hard on my fitness and trying to gain match-temperament with time. I want to be a professional cricketer and for that I need to on my toes always. With Mohsin’s expertise and international exposure,I am sure Bahrain cricket can do wonders. So,I am just latching onto these opportunities,” felt Hardeep.

Keeping in view Hardeep’s potential,BCA has drafted him in the senior Bahrain camp under Mohsin and Hardeep is preparing with the senior Bahrain team for ICC Division Five tournament to be held in Nepal next year. “My immediate aim is to do well for Bahrain in U-19 cricket and graduate to the Senior team soon. It will be wonderful if I can help Bahrain U-19 team win the ACC under-19 Elite Cup so that it is able to play U-19 World Cup 2014 qualifiers,” said Hardeep,a Ricky Ponting fan.

After all this,his biggest dream is to play for the Indian team. “My dream is to play for India one day. I may be learning cricket in Bahrain but my heart is in India,” he said.