With lot on platter,Varun eyes Delhi

As the DDCA tinkered with its squad every other match,in accordance with its review of the team's performance in their Ranji campaign,Varun Sood,then playing for the U-22 side,wasn't a happy face.

As the DDCA tinkered with its squad every other match,in accordance with its review of the team’s performance in their Ranji campaign,Varun Sood,then playing for the U-22 side,wasn’t a happy face. With 30 wickets and close to 300 runs this season,that only added to his credentials as a promising prospect for Delhi,it is understandable if Sood expected his name to be in the elite squad,each time a new one was announced. But selectors had a different game plan for the 21-year-old young left arm spinner,and kept him hooked to his age category team that later finished runners-up in CK Nayudu Trophy. His consistent performance during the last three seasons have borne fruit and Sood is now,finally on the verge of breaking into the Elite side.

Currently,part of a 40-member preparatory camp for the Ranji one-dayers,scheduled to start from February 20,Sood has been a hot topic of discussion among the selectors. But when it rains,it pours. Just when Sood is witnessing his career graph going northwards,he has also been informed about his selection to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore for a month-long U-22 camp. It is further reported that the board is planning to send an U-22 squad on an England tour,the confirmation of which is still awaited. Although Sood is slated for a very busy schedule ahead,his priorities are clearly defined in his mind. Whatever is the case,I would stick to my Ranji plans. I have come so close to being picked in the team and I just can’t focus on other things. I want to play the one-day matches as well as the T-20 knockouts, says Sood.

With his NCA camp clashing with the Ranji one-dayers,which start from February 12,he says he is looking forward to skip the initial phase of the Bangalore camp. I am going to inform authorities about the Ranji schedule and request if I could be permitted to join after the Ranji finishes. Anyway,I still have one more year left to play U-22,but I just cannot compromise on my Ranji selection, he adds.

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For now,Sood’s next task is the trial matches which are going to be the criterion for the selection of the final Delhi squad. The left-arm spinner is not in a mood to enjoy the break given by DDCA due to the Republic Day function and is working hard to perfect his skill. His daily schedule includes a lot of bowling,working on the basics and mentally preparing himself for different situations that usually crop up during a tense match. Sood is back to his alma mater and is spending time with his coach Suresh Batra who works at DAV School in Shalimar Bagh. With sir I get the confidence and the way he helps in motivating mentally does the trick. He is helping me bowl a lot and improve. It is the best opportunity for me as I can cement my place for next year by performing outstandingly. I don’t want to leave things hanging on the U-22 next year and want to make the best of this opportunity, Sood explains.

And if he still has time after sorting out the season ahead,he has an offer from a Manchester-based club for the Cheshire league. Although if he does accept the offer,it would again be an opportunity for him to stick to the game during the off-season in India. That is least of my priorities,but it is an important venture I am looking to explore. I want to play cricket and will not miss anything that can improve my level as a cricketer, affirms Sood.

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