Dubai: West Indies Cricket Academy's promising player Rajendra Chandrika, who idolises Sachin Tendulkar as his hero, cracked a brilliant century to lead his team to an 86-run victory over Afghanistan in a 50 over match at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Cricket Academy Oval ground on Saturday.
This Guyana-born opener who is of Indian origin adores Tendulkar's batting style, as well as Rahul Dravid's techniques. Opening the innings against Afghanistan he hit 114 runs with 12 boundaries and a six to help West Indies post 257 for 9 in 50 overs. Afghanistan was restricted to 171 with Shamar Brooks and Keron Cottoy bagging four wickets each.
Speaking to Gulf News after his century Chandrika said: "I am a very big fan of Tendulkar. I want to meet Tendulkar as well as Dravid one day and chat with them."
Like Tendulkar, Chandrika did not go for his shots right away. "It was hotter than back home when I went out to bat. I told myself that I should concentrate and stick on there. Afghanistan won the toss and put us to bat as they were not sure how the wicket will behave. Though the wicket was a bit slow I played straight and settled down."
Twenty-two-year-old Chandrika has a West Indies accent though he is of Indian origin. "All that I know is my forefathers are from India but do not know from which region I am from in India. They came to West Indies many years ago."
Chandrika went on to represent Guyana Under-15 team at the age of 14. He began by playing wind ball cricket from young days and graduated to big cricket. He also played for Guyana Under-19 team and scored heavily for Demerara in Inter County matches. The West Indies Cricket Board impressed by his performance picked him for the High Performance Camp. In 2010 he bagged the Most Improved Player Trophy.
Brief scores:
West Indies Academy bt Afghanistan by 83 runs West Indies Academy 257 for 9 in 50 overs (Rajendra Chandrika 114, Shane Dowrich 23, Keron Cottoy 31n.o, D. Zardan 3 for 56) Afghanistan 171 in 37.5 overs (Asghkar Stanikzai 53, Keron Cottoy 4 for 46, Shamar Brooks 4 for 15) Man of the match: Rajendra Chandrika
