Sagar waves cause ripples

JANUARY 11: Last year, 13-year-old Sagar Dumbre, a dream in his piercing eyes, sought admission at the Elf-Vengsarkar Cricket Academy. At...

JANUARY 11: Last year, 13-year-old Sagar Dumbre, a dream in his piercing eyes, sought admission at the Elf-Vengsarkar Cricket Academy. At the trials, he faced four balls and was rejected.

That stung Sagar. He served notice of his credentials while turning out for St Xavier8217;s Boys Academy SXBA in the Inter-schools Giles Shield under-14 and Harris Shield under-16 cricket tournaments: running scores of 65, 57 not out, 167 off 89 balls and 67 in four Giles matches, followed by 5, 13, 83 not out on a bad pitch and a 58 in Harris. A tally of 514 runs in eight innings at an average of 85.67. The 14 wickets he captured came as icing on the cake.

Dumbre went back to the Elf Academy on January 7 this year, his achievements a silent yet powerful testimony. This time, he faced 70 balls with the highly respected Vasu Paranjpe analysing every minute movement. The talent was difficult to ignore. Dumbre was drafted.

The son of crime branch police inspector Ashok Dumbre was always a prized prodigy at SXBA. TheStandard VIII first-ranker was captain and centre forward of the school under-14 football team, and scored seven goals in five matches 8212; including a hat-trick against Stanislaus 8212; in the Inter-School Tournament.Now, with his cricket performances this season, after an indifferent first year where he had scores of 8, 42 and 20, Dumbre is SXBA8217;s blue-eyed boy, and the notice boards proudly endorse his exploits. He is also very popular with team-mates and is a good man manager. School coach Pratap Desai explains the cynosure: 8220;He remembers the birthdays of coaches, teachers and peons and always makes it a point to get small mementoes for them.8221;

Desai recalls an anecdote which, he feels, taught Sagar to bridle his natural talent: 8220;In his first match, Sagar batted three down and was out to a casual shot to mid-off. In the dressing room, I told him, you are our main batsmen. I have 18 players in the team and will drop you if you cannot stay at the wicket.8221;

The next match, Dumbre walked in one down andplayed a longer innings8230;. and longer. The SXBA one-down spot was cemented.

Desai says, 8220;He is an attacking player with a keen ability to adapt. He hits strokes all round the wicket, and favours the cover drive and the pull.Mohini Almadi a noted city coach told me not change Dumbre8217;s unorthodox batting grip, which has a dominant left hand and a gap between the hands.8221;Like every aspiring cricketer, Dumbre is an all-rounder. He bowls medium-pace with a rhythmic cartwheel action and swings the ball either way. He is a brilliant fielder in the slips and cover. And, like every aspiring cricketer in the country, he idolises Sachin Tendulkar, and hopes to play for India.

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If Desai is worried about his talented ward, it is on the physical count. 8220;Sagar tires quickly, though his stamina is fast improving. The hour-long sand running at Chowpatty on Sundays wet to dry has been of immense help.8221;

All the work-outs will definitely put a crimp on Dumbre8217;s hobbies he devours mystery novels and loves watchingcricket but the young curly-haired boy is more worried about the effect it would have on his studies. 8220;I have maths and science tuitions twice a week, too. My mother insists I concentrate on studies and not let my rank slip,8221; Sagar says with concern.

Like all his achievements, it is hard to believe Sagar will not take this trifle in his stride.

Oppositions, beware: Dumbre is a talent and a name to reckon with.