Dubai: It was a splendid homecoming for Vignesh Rajan, who bagged the player of the tournament award in the Interface Gulf Cup Under-18 tournament.
After winning the best allrounder award in the Under-15 Asia Cup representing UAE in 2006, Rajan left Dubai in 2007 for higher studies in Mumbai.
He helped Delhi Private School Young Talents Cricket Academy emerge as the champions with his allround show last week. He cracked an unbeaten 85 off 69 balls studded with 10 boundaries and three sixes and also bagged three wickets with his spin to steer Young Talent to a six-wicket win over Zayed Cricket Academy in the semifinal. In the final, he again hit an unbeaten 68 off 48 balls with seven boundaries to ensure his team's victory over Al Fara'a team.
Top tournaments
Rajan plays in Mumbai's top tournaments.
"I play for Khalsa College and attend Mumbai Cricket Association's camp representing Shivaji Park Centre. I can feel the tremendous improvement playing alongside top Ranji Trophy players," said Rajan to Gulf News.
Rajan even clinched a place among standby for Mumbai's Under-19 team. He was trained by Coach Shehzad Altaf in Insportz and had even toured with DPS YTCA to UK. Rajan also got trained at the MRF Academy in Chennai under Gopal Jasapara's guidance by former Indian Test star T A Sekar. "I got to play in the Sportstar Trophy and the performance helped me noticed by selectors for Mumbai Under-19. I now train under Vidhya Paradkar at Parsee Gymkhana. I also undergo fitness training under Vijay Alva, the former Mumbai Ranji Trophy team trainer with whom Sachin Tendulkar trained after his tennis elbow," said Rajan, who is gearing up to play in Mumbai's tournaments like Purushottam Shield, Padmakar Talim Shield and Kanga League.
"It is indeed nice to return to UAE from where I progressed as a cricketer and play in a tournament during my holidays with my parents," said Rajan who will be playing in the Times Shield B division tournament on return to Mumbai.
