PANJIM: Everything comes to you at the right time! Couple of years ago, then a young 21-year-old Suyash Prabhudessai from Ponda was the lone Goan to be drafted in the Indian Premier League auction. Suyash watched the entire auction from start till the end, however, he went unnoticed and wasn’t picked by any franchises that evening.
Dejected and heartbroken, Suyash was in disbelief as no clubs showed any interest in the young lad. But then he realised there were better cricketers than what he was. It was just a start towards a long journey for the young Goan lad, who kept striving and giving his best, and the rewards finally paid off on Thursday.
Suyash Prabhudessai was picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2021 at a base price of Rs 20 lakh. The journey, which began couple of years ago, finally seems to have seen the light.
“I am delighted and out of words in expressing how ecstatic I am at moment,” said Suyash while speaking to Herald.
However, this time Suyash wasn’t there to witness the auction. Being part of the State team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy at Surat (Gujarat), the all-rounder was busy attending a team meeting and discussing strategies for their matches when the news about his selection was notified by his parents.
“I was attending a team discussion as we are playing our first match on Feb 21 and that’s when my parents texted me about my selection in the team. I just couldn’t believe that I was selected by RCB but at the same time I knew I had performed really well recently and had a strong chance,” revealed Suyash, who couldn’t hide his joy being the fourth Goan to be ever picked by an ISL franchise.
Suyash has scored over 922 first class runs and picked four wickets in 16 matches for Goa, but the youngster believes it was his knock against Madhya Pradesh in Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy in 2019 which earned him recognition. The lad scored a quick-fire 22-ball 48 runs though he ended on losing side.
“Like I said before, I realised that day (after the auction couple of years ago) that I wasn’t ready to play IPL and I kept working hard. I knew my time would arrive and believing that I kept giving my best. I had played good cricket earlier, but what was lacking is that eye-catching innings and I think this time I managed to do that,” said the 23- year-old right-arm medium pacer.
We had a rather unexpected answer from Suyash when asked about his next goal and aim after being picked by RCB. The young lad who believes to keep it straight and simple and live in the present answered, “Now my aim is to prepare well for the tournament (Vijay Hazare cricket tourney) and help my State in giving my best and possibly qualify for the playoffs,” This shows how matured Suyash has grown to be and with this quality of determination, we can surely expect the youngster too soon make a mark at RCB.
However, Suyash isn’t the first Goan to be picked by RCB, who had earlier selected Sourabh Bandekar, apparently the lad couldn’t play any matches due to an injury which he picked during the training session.
Suyash thanked the Goa Cricket Association for their unending support and constant motivation and added, “I hope that I can leave a mark on cricket which will someday put Goa on the world map,” he added.
Goa Cricket Association secretary Vipul Phadke stated, “We are extremely delighted to have our Suyash (Prabhudessai) being picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore. This is just a stepping stone for us. Suyash’s performance has improved drastically over the years and I hope he makes the best of this opportunity and hopes to make it to the senior national team.”
Deepraj Gaonkar was the other Goan cricket to feature in the draft. However, wasn’t picked by any teams this edition.
Earlier Goa had seen Swapnil Asnodkar and Shadab Jakati have successful stints at their respective clubs and now with the selection of Suyash, this will be a new beginning for Goan cricket as the story of this young lad will hopefully inspire many. But this is just a beginning of another test for Suyash.
