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Journalism of Courage
Smit Patel’s stay at the crease was cut short by recurring cramps during India Red’s NKP Salve Challenger Trophy match against India Blue on Friday,which forced the right-hander to retire hurt in the 33rd over of the innings. The 20-year old swept Yuvraj Singh and was on the ground as soon as he completed the single. The cramps,according to Smit,were felt while he was keeping in the final overs,but got worse when he was batting in the 30s.
“While keeping,I felt it towards the end but it used to go away. The pain started when I was batting in the 30s,and it got worse when I tried or pushed hard. The cramps kept coming and going. After the sweep shot,I was in terrible pain and just couldn’t stand. It just got stuck. I couldn’t walk,run or do anything else,” Smit told The Indian Express from Indore.
After retiring hurt in the 33rd over of the chase,a frustrated Smit observed proceedings from outside for 17 overs and was disappointed on not being out in the middle. He did walk out to bat towards the end,but it was too late as his side needed 13 from the last three.
“It was really frustrating to see proceedings from outside. I wanted to be in there and score more runs. I mean,it would have been nice had I scored more runs. I don’t know what would have happened had I stayed there,but it could have been a different story,” says Smit.
Sent into bat at one-drop,Smit found going tough against the Kumar duo of Bhuvneshwar and Vinay early on. The seamers beat the right-hander on more than one occasion,and questioned and prodded the young batter in the middle. Determined to do well,Smit knew what it required to tackle the moving ball.
“It was a really good experience facing bowlers who represent India and play international cricket regularly. Going in early was not something new for me. I play up the order in the Ranji Trophy. I knew what to do and just wanted to go in there and get the feel of the ball and see how the bowlers are bowling. My aim was to spend time at the wicket and get the feel of things,” says Smit.
With not much time for the game against Delhi on Saturday,Smit is confident on attaining match-fitness and wants to put his best foot forward in the must-win fixture.
“The leg is getting better now. It is gradually improving. I took a lot of fluids and had food. We have some pool session,stretching and releasing lined up now. So it will only get better. I will definitely be match-fit for Delhi game,” concludes Smit.
