Chavan makes emotional return at Wankhede Stadium

Ankeet Chavan bats for Karnatak at Wankhede. Pic/Atul Kamble

While a section of Mumbai's club cricketers were delighted to be part of the resumption of local cricket with the Padmakar Talim Shield on Saturday, it was also a special day for Ankeet Chavan, the left-arm spinner.

Chavan, 35, returned to competitive cricket after eight years. He was banned for his alleged involvement in the 2013 IPL spot fixing controversy.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to start the COVID-hit season with ‘A' and ‘B' division clubs competing in the T20 Talim Shield. Clubs from ‘C' to ‘G' division will be part of a league tournament in honour of former Mumbai captain and MCA president, Madhav Mantri, whose birth centenary is being marked this year.

Chavan helped Karnatak Sporting Association snatch a thrilling, three-wicket win over Victory Cricket Club at the Wankhede Stadium. This is the same ground where Chavan played for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians before he was banned for life by the BCCI, along with S Sreesanth and Ajit Chandila.

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New innings

Chavan was cleared by the BCCI earlier this year to resume cricket. Reaching the Wankhede Stadium to start his new innings on Saturday morning was nothing short of emotional.

"To be at the Wankhede Stadium is a matter of pride for any Mumbai player. It's not just a ground, it is a home for me and all Mumbai players. When I reached here in the morning, I was emotional because I played my last match at Wankhede and I'm starting my new journey at the same venue. I missed the Wankhede a lot in the last eight years. But all that is gone and I don't want to think of it. I'm now back on the field and want to give my best for the team," Chavan told Sunday mid-day.

Put in to bat, Victory CC amassed 175-5 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to Suved Parkar (56), Varun Deshpande (37) and Karan Shah (32). Pacer Akash Parkar took three for 26 for Karnatak SA. In reply, riding on Vinayak Bhoir's unbeaten 76 off just 36 balls (3x4, 6x6), Karnatak SA secured a win with four balls to spare.

Not a bad start

Chavan, who went wicketless, conceding 25 runs in his three overs, scored an 18-ball 20 with the help of three fours. He admitted that there was some pressure on him. "But being on the ground again, playing a game was a source of great satisfaction for me; not just me, but for my family and wife [Neha] because they all supported me through these years and boosted my confidence. I have courage and strength today because of them," Chavan remarked.

"I am not thinking about where I will play or what I will play. I will try to give my 100 per cent. It is up to the selectors and my performance. Depending on my performance, if they feel I am good enough to come back, I will be really happy; it will be a totally different feeling. But of course, I want to make a comeback at the earliest and that is why I started playing cricket [again]," Chavan signed off.

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