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Journalism of Courage
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This is an archive article published on February 2, 2011
Nagar to stick with Daredevils
At a time when not many Delhi players are finding takers in the IPLs Delhi Daredevils side Gautam Gambhir,Pradeep Sangwan and skipper Mithun Minhas all moving to other centres.
At a time when not many Delhi players are finding takers in the IPLs Delhi Daredevils side Gautam Gambhir,Pradeep Sangwan and skipper Mithun Minhas all moving to other centres Yogesh Nagar,a player with a chequered past (he was reported for a suspect action two years ago) has just signed a contract that will keep him with the Delhi franchise for his fourth year in the IPL. Nagar,21,who still resides in the suburb of Wazirabad despite the IPL money,admits he received an offer from a rival franchise but was clear on remaining with the Daredevils.
I got an offer to play for Deccan Chargers. But at that point I was also talking to Delhi Daredevils. So when the Delhi contract came through,I told Deccan that I would not be playing for them. It does not matter to me that other players from Delhi have left to join other teams. I have always wanted to play from my home state.
Explaining his decision further he says,Playing for Delhi means that I will get the chance to interact with my seniors from the state itself. The IPL is a tournament where most of the outside guys who are playing have represented their country. In such an environment,it helps if a youngster gets a few seniors who look out for them. Sehwag bhai and Gautam bhai were always ready to help me out whenever I needed advice. While Gambhir will not be in the same team,I know that Sehwag will support me.
Life after IPL
There is life after the IPL though and for Nagar,representing the state also ranks highly in his goals for the future. I have played U-17 and U-19 cricket as well,and I want to play cricket as long as possible. Ultimately,the aim is to play four day cricket for my state,but I know I have to play in different formats as much as possible so that I remain versatile. Whatever opportunity I get I need to capitalise on it, he says.
In the Delhi Ranji squad for the last three years,Nagar registered his highest First-Class score in his second match of this season an unbeaten 151 against Gujarat. A bout of illness though,unfortunately saw him miss the the second half of the season.
Opportunity in absence
With a number of talented youngsters all vying for a spot in the hugely competitive Delhi set-up,Nagar knows that he will have to pull his weight and also make the most of whatever opportunity he gets. Which is why he is not unhappy about the fact that Gambhir and Sehwag will miss the upcoming Ranji one-day season due to World Cup commitments.
Right now,my seniors are not playing in the side,so that gives me the opportunity to cement my own place in the squad.
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But Nagars mind inadvertently shifts back to the IPL and memories of a catch to dismiss Sanath Jayasuriya where he leapt backwards and plucked a one-handed stunner. That was probably the greatest moment of my career. This season,I hope I can create some more great memories, he says.
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