Self-made Parmod slams century

Returning to the pavillion after his innings of 135 came to an end,Parmod Chandila received applause not just from his own team-mates but also from his opponents on the field and even from the umpires.

Returning to the pavillion after his innings of 135 came to an end,Parmod Chandila received applause not just from his own team-mates but also from his opponents on the field and even from the umpires. Chasing a competitive total of 273 against an attack comprising former India seamer Joginder Sharma,his 103 ball knock had ensured his side-Delhi Cricket Club- had romped home with nearly six overs to spare. There was scarcely a dull moment over the course of his innings. While he was beaten at times as he chased deliveries away from his off stump,he connected more often than not,smashing 19 fours and three sixes over the course of his innings. Unconcerned about keeping the ball on the ground,he upper cut bouncers,lofted full deliveries over extra cover and reverse swept the spinners against the turn.

Chandila credits his uninhibited strokeplay to the fact that he only started getting professional cricketing coaching some three years back. My family wasnt very keen on my playing cricket. My father wanted me to get into his business. So while I would play cricket as a hobby on weekends I never pursued it actively. My cousin Manoj Chandila,who is also a cricketer,motivated me to join an academy near my home, says the 19-year-old resident of Faridabad.

Sometimes I feel that other players are limited because they are willing to play only a certain type of shots. I keep picking up new shots which I have watched on TV and then I try to use them in a match, says Chandila. But the lack of a cricketing base isnt an entirely positive thing. I sometimes feel that I would have a better chance if I had started playing cricket earlier. While I am aggressive,I often feel that I give my wicket away when I am well set because I am unable to decide which balls to leave, he says. While his shots look good when they work out,they sometimes work to his disadvantage- Chandila is dismissed when he upper cuts yet another bouncer straight to a third man .

Sometimes it doesnt work out and I look silly but I realise that I keep improving with every match I play, says Chandila,who trains at the Vijay Yadav Academy in Faridabad.

But despite his desire to improve as fast as he can,Chandila understands that his late start to the game means that he is at a disadvantage. My family understands that I want to play cricket. But I dont want to be foolish about it so I have told them that I will pursue a career in the game for another two or three years. Because I have given myself a deadline,I realise that every decision I take is crucial. For example my next game in the hot weather league is against Air India and I have a Faridabad district match also on the same day. While the district match is important if I want to play for Haryana,I know I have to play Air India,because they have some very good bowlers and I will improve, he says.

Chandila also says he gets plenty of advice from fellow cricketers including his namesake and IPL 5 hat-trick taker Ajit Chandila. We are from the same area and he has motivated me a lot. He keeps telling me to focus on my game and to try my luck at the state level in Himachal Pradesh, he says.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram