PUNE: Ashay Palkar believes his maiden first-class hundred within the Ranji Trophy opener in opposition to Delhi has helped him show his batting credentials and stake his declare as an all-rounder within the Maharashtra squad.
“I have been recognised as a bowler, but I have also been working on my batting. I was waiting for a chance, one innings, to prove my batting,” Palkar, who scored an ideal 100 within the first innings in Gahunje final week, stated.
“I want to be an all-rounder. That the team went on to win the match was icing on the cake.”
Palkar’s knock was an instance in utility. He consumed 250 deliveries whereas that includes in a file double century partnership with Azim Kazi for the eighth wicket that lifted the group from 94/7 to 324.
He additionally picked two wickets in every innings to be adjudged participant of the match.
“We (himself and Kazi) didn’t have any plan. Our aim was to get closer to their score (Delhi’s 191) and play each ball on merit. We set short term goals,” the 33-year-old stated.
The greatest praise for his batting got here from none apart from his companion.
“Watching Palkar bat gave me inspiration. His innings was perfect, he batted like a recognised batsman,” stated Kazi, who made 124 for his third first-class ton.
Palkar, who performed as a junior for Mumbai earlier than shifting to Pune, had taken a break from the sport to finish an MBA programme. That helped him safe a placement with tech agency Infosys.
As fascinating as it would sound, being employed full-time with a multi-national software program poses its personal problem, however Palkar is comfortable for the chance it has offered him.
“My company is very understanding and supportive of my cricket. They are very happy to have a Ranji Trophy cricketer among them, as I am the only such professional sportsman as their employee,” he stated.
“But unlike other players (employed in public sector units), I am not employed under the sports quota. All the policies that apply to other employees apply to me as well.
“So, when I am not playing for Maharashtra, I have to be on duty for eight hours. I make time before and after office hours for practice.
“If I am going to compete with other athletes, I have to put in the effort.”
Not surprisingly, he doesn’t take stress on himself with regard to cementing his place within the group.
“I have to keep proving myself. It is not about cementing my place in the team,” he stated.
“If I keep contributing to the team’s success, my place will automatically be cemented. Whatever my position in the team, my endeavour will be the same.”
“I have been recognised as a bowler, but I have also been working on my batting. I was waiting for a chance, one innings, to prove my batting,” Palkar, who scored an ideal 100 within the first innings in Gahunje final week, stated.
“I want to be an all-rounder. That the team went on to win the match was icing on the cake.”
Palkar’s knock was an instance in utility. He consumed 250 deliveries whereas that includes in a file double century partnership with Azim Kazi for the eighth wicket that lifted the group from 94/7 to 324.
He additionally picked two wickets in every innings to be adjudged participant of the match.
“We (himself and Kazi) didn’t have any plan. Our aim was to get closer to their score (Delhi’s 191) and play each ball on merit. We set short term goals,” the 33-year-old stated.
The greatest praise for his batting got here from none apart from his companion.
“Watching Palkar bat gave me inspiration. His innings was perfect, he batted like a recognised batsman,” stated Kazi, who made 124 for his third first-class ton.
Palkar, who performed as a junior for Mumbai earlier than shifting to Pune, had taken a break from the sport to finish an MBA programme. That helped him safe a placement with tech agency Infosys.
As fascinating as it would sound, being employed full-time with a multi-national software program poses its personal problem, however Palkar is comfortable for the chance it has offered him.
“My company is very understanding and supportive of my cricket. They are very happy to have a Ranji Trophy cricketer among them, as I am the only such professional sportsman as their employee,” he stated.
“But unlike other players (employed in public sector units), I am not employed under the sports quota. All the policies that apply to other employees apply to me as well.
“So, when I am not playing for Maharashtra, I have to be on duty for eight hours. I make time before and after office hours for practice.
“If I am going to compete with other athletes, I have to put in the effort.”
Not surprisingly, he doesn’t take stress on himself with regard to cementing his place within the group.
“I have to keep proving myself. It is not about cementing my place in the team,” he stated.
“If I keep contributing to the team’s success, my place will automatically be cemented. Whatever my position in the team, my endeavour will be the same.”