Meet Yashwardhan Chouhan, the run-hungry kid from Gwalior who doesn’t believe in hitting sixes

Madhya Pradesh head coach Chandrakant Pandit (left) with Yashwardhan Chouhan at RBCF Ralamandal ground in Indore

There is no dearth of cricketing talent in the country. They just need to be groomed properly. Gwalior-based Yashwardhan Chouhan, 13, provides a classic example.

Yashwardhan has amassed 1,098 runs in the last 11 days during AW Kanmadikar U-13 Trophy organised by Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), an U-14 selection tournament.

The Chambal Division skipper and opening batsman Yashwardhan got run out on 47 in the first two-day game against Ujjain Div. But he scored 425 (87x4) and 235 (41x4) in the next two games versus Shahdol Div and Bhopal Div teams respectively. In the ongoing three-day semi-final against Indore Div on Day Two (Sunday) he fell nine runs short of another 400-run mark. He faced 283 balls during his seven hours-plus 391 with the help of 62 fours.

Yashwardhan doesn't have to look far for inspiration when it comes to consistency with Venkatesh Iyer showcasing his abilities. Yashwardhan likes to play all along the carpet and he didn't have a single six during his last four big innings.

Though, Chambal team posted a mammoth 599 all out, the Indore outfit conceded just two wides during their 121.1 overs.

When asked Yashwardhan what he likes the most and why he avoids hitting sixes, he told mid-day on Sunday: "I like to stay on the pitch for the maximum time to score as many runs as I can. With my ground shots I get four runs easily, so why should I try for a lofted shot and a six to get two extra runs? Also, there is more possibility of getting out while trying to hit in the air."

When former India wicketkeeper-batsman and MP head coach Chandrakant Pandit learnt about the talented kid, he made his way to the RBCF Ground, Ralamandal, quite a distance from Indore's Holkar Stadium where the MP Ranji Trophy team were training camp.

"MPCA Secretary Sanjeev Rao informed me about his consistent performance on Saturday. So, after today's [Sunday] Ranji team's net practice, I went to watch Yashwardhan. He was unbeaten on 367 on Saturday. He was batting superbly having played all shots with proper technique. What I liked most was that he did not hit a single ball in the air," Pandit remarked.

Yashwardhan, who also took 14 wickets in the tournament with his off-spin including 6-46, a spell which had a hat trick against Indore Div.

"I congratulated Yash on another marathon knock and said, "hard luck" as the ball kept low and he was declared leg before [to pacer Ayush Septa]. But I was amazed to hear his reply. "Sir, but mujhe wo ball khelna chahiye tha (I had to play that ball too)'. He did not offer any excuses," Pandit said.

Former national selector and ex-MPCA President Sanjay Jagdale also lavished praise on Yashwardhan. He said: "I have seen some of his videos. This boy has tremendous talent and everything looks natural. He looks very relaxed and his head and feet position look perfect. I have not met him, but I will definitely go and watch him play and I am excited."

Yashwardhan's father Anami, 45, revealed how they used to travel around 40 kms from Gwalior to Morena [district in MP] for practice over the last six-seven months.

"During the lockdown there was no cricketing activity in Gwalior. So since last March, we have travelled from Gwalior to Morena by bus daily or sometimes alternate days for his cricket practice," explained Anami.