Duleep mendis

Emerging Teams Asia Cup: When Oman steps out for their maiden Asia Cup game against Pakistan in Dubai on September 12, experienced batter Jatinder Singh will carry not just the responsibility of leading the team, but also implement the lessons taken from interacting with young Indian left-handed batters Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.

During last year’s Emerging Men’s T20 Asia Cup in Muscat, Jatinder had the chance to spend a lot of time with Abhishek and Tilak, who were with the India ‘A’ team. “The best thing about them was that they talked about not taking anything for granted when stepping on the field. Like Abhishek said, ‘For me, every day is a new day. I always challenge myself, no matter who the opposition is. I just have to do well for my country. That is the biggest pride I carry when I put the jersey on.”

“So, that stayed with me the moment he said this thing. In spite of being such a talented guy, Abhishek paaji does not take things for granted. Even Tilak paaji was the same, as he said, ‘For me, the moment I step onto the field, I have to give everything to my country’. The hunger to do well for the country itself was seen on his face and eyes,” recalled Jatinder in an exclusive conversation with IANS, facilitated by Sportcell.