Drushil Chauhan, an 11-year-old cricket fan, had a memorable experience at a practice session ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia when he was given the opportunity to bowl at India’s skipper Rohit Sharma.
Drushil was among the many children that gathered at the WACA grounds for the morning session. He wowed Indian captain Rohit Sharma with his smooth bowling movement, and the 11-year-old was asked to bowl to him in the nets.
Hari Prasad Mohan, Team India’s video analyst, told the story in a video uploaded on the BCCI’s official website.
“We arrived at the WACA for a practice session, kids were wrapping up their morning event. As soon as we entered our dressing room, we were able to see 100-odd kids playing and enjoying cricket. There was one kid who caught everyone’s eye and Rohit was the first one to identify the kid after watching him, the two-three balls he bowled, everyone was amazed by his smooth run-up and how naturally talented he was,” said Hari Mohan.
“Rohit went out of the dressing room and asked the kid to bowl a few more balls. Rohit Sharma invited him to bowl; it was a great sight to see. It was a memorable moment for the kid where he got to bowl to the Indian captain,” he added.
Talking about the incident, Drushil said: “Rohit Sharma saw me and he told me to bowl. I was very surprised, a day before that, my dad told me that I might be able to bowl to Rohit, so I was very excited. My favourite ball is in swinging yorker.”
After their net session, Rohit asked Drushil: “You stay in Perth; how are you going to play for India?”
The kid said: “I am going to go to India when I’ll be good enough.”
Drushil was later also allowed to enter Team India’s dressing room to interact with the players and support staff.