Young Unmukt looks ahead after forgettable debut

The happiness Unmukt Chand felt as he walked to the wicket with Virender Sehwag in his first IPL match against Mumbai Indians lasted just two deliveries. On the second he played and missed and then looked behind in dismay at the Lasith Malinga slower delivery that had made a mess of his stumps. The long walk back to the pavilion amidst a silent Ferozeshah Kotla crowd was undoubtedly traumatic. But Unmukt isn’t one to mope about past failure and it is Delhi Daredevils’ next game in Jaipur that is providing the 18-year-old’s with his next target to aim at.

While Malinga hadn’t changed his tactics — bowling the same slingy,swinging toe crusher that have dismissed countless others,it was the young Delhi batsman who played an uncharacteristic rash lofted drive. “I was very excited. Batting alongside Virender Sehwag was like a dream come true. But at the same time I was nervous about the fact that I was playing in a crowded stadium for the first time. I thought I could play that shot to Malinga. But honestly I couldn’t at all pick the slower one due to his action,” says Chand.

Like every other youngster committing a mistake,a session of advices followed for Unmukt as soon as he untied his pads in the team dug-out. Before his debut IPL match,Unmukt had played a couple of practice games scoring fifties in both innings. He had crafted those innings patiently,waiting for the delivery meant to be dispatched. “I was advised by seniors and Sehwag that I should have played my natural game. I think I experimented too early in the innings. But it is a learning experience and I hope that I stay on the wicket a bit longer in the next game,” he adds.

Fresh start

Unmukt is now excited rather than apprehensive about facing the likes of Shane Warne,Johan Botha and yet another slinging menace in Shaun Tait in the Rajasthan Royals bowling attack. “Every match is a new match. I have already crossed out this innings from my mind and I will step out to the field with a fresh mind as if I will be playing my first game of the IPL,if given a chance. The Jaipur pitch is supposed to be a good batting track and I am hoping for a good outing,” says Unmukt signing off.