Synopsis
On January 30, Railways wicketkeeper-batter Upendra Yadav made headlines by scoring an impressive 95 during Day One of the Ranji Trophy, coinciding with Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to domestic cricket at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Upendra reflected on the excitement Kohli's presence brings to players and fans alike.Key Takeaways
- Upendra Yadav scored 95 to lead Railways to 241.
- Virat Kohli's return drew a crowd of over 15,000.
- Upendra felt inspired by Kohli's presence but did not feel pressured.
- The Railways board is working on securing a base for future home games.
- Upendra remains focused on scoring runs for his team.
New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) On a day when Virat Kohli made his much-anticipated return to domestic cricket, all eyes were on him during Day One of the Ranji Trophy match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Railways wicketkeeper-batter Upendra Yadav left a significant mark with a commendable score of 95, featuring ten fours and a six, helping Railways recover from 66/5 to a solid total of 241.
He acknowledged the excitement players feel when a cricketer of Kohli's caliber plays in a domestic match, especially with over 15,000 spectators present to witness the encounter.
“Typically, the Ranji Trophy games don’t attract large crowds. However, with Virat bhaiya in attendance, the atmosphere was electric. It’s inspiring when a prominent player joins domestic cricket. It was truly exhilarating. During my time in the IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad, even though I didn’t make the playing XI, the crowd's energy was uplifting. Today was similar,” he shared.
“Our coaches advised us to remain composed and deliver our best. We were definitely motivated, but I wouldn’t say we felt pressured. When such a significant figure is present, excitement naturally builds. The crowd's energy amplified our intensity. We are entertainers, and when fans show up, it enhances our performance,” he added.
Reflecting on his debut for Uttar Pradesh, Upendra recalled the large crowds that gathered when Suresh Raina played domestic matches at Green Park. “Whenever a major player is involved, the audience tends to increase,” he noted.
When questioned about any pressure on Railways batters due to the significant crowd, Upendra dismissed the notion. “Not at all. We must commend our bowlers for their excellent deliveries at the start. We were doing our best, but the pitch favored bowlers early on. However, we built a strong partnership later,” he explained.
Upendra was on track for his third century of the domestic season but fell just five runs short. He attempted to hit Sumit Mathur over long-off but was caught in the deep. “I wouldn’t call it exhausting; I was confident in my shot, but it didn’t work out,” he admitted.
“I had been holding back on taking a single for a while, wanting Himanshu Sangwan to acclimate. He performs well against both spinners and pace bowlers. I was cautious, especially with the ball swinging at that time,” he elaborated.
“When wickets fall, it’s vital to assess the situation carefully. I needed to take my time since the ball was moving; playing close to the body was essential,” he added.
At 28, Upendra has been part of the India A setup for several series, including an unbeaten stint against Bangladesh and a score of 77 against New Zealand in Bengaluru. However, with younger keepers emerging, he has found himself out of the spotlight recently.
“I’m not sure what the selectors are looking for. My role is to keep scoring runs. My performances in T20 and 50-over formats have been strong. I remain hopeful of continuing to score and contributing significantly to my team’s success. I prefer not to dwell on the future as it’s beyond my control,” he said.
When asked if he ever contemplated whether he would have made it to the Indian team had he remained with Uttar Pradesh, Upendra responded, “I’ve never had that thought. Many suggest that, but personally, I don’t see it that way. I believe the selectors have a tough job. As a player, my focus is on scoring runs for my team, and I hope to keep doing that.”
Looking ahead to Day Two, with Kohli expected to bat, Upendra expressed confidence in the bowlers sticking to their strategies. “We had a meeting to formulate a plan. Naturally, I can’t disclose it, but we’ll be ready for tomorrow,” he remarked.
“It’s crucial that our bowlers remain focused. The fundamentals are simple: bowl in the right areas. All our bowlers need to perform well, whether against Virat bhaiya or anyone else. A good delivery is a good delivery,” he concluded.
He also mentioned that the Railways board is working towards securing a main base for the team to host home games in the upcoming domestic season. “Our railway board is making strides in this area. We are looking at 2-3 grounds. Our last match faced issues at Karnail Singh Stadium, which is why we couldn’t play there this time. We are optimistic that our railway board will have a center ready in time,” he added.
