Vadodara cricketer who scored two double centuries in Ranji Trophy: Arpit Bhatewar - Father made a bus conductor and brought me here, Krunal Pandya sent me a bat

Vadodara's Arpit Bhatewara, who scored 900 runs with two double centuries in a single season of the Ranji Trophy, has been selected in the Duleep Trophy squad. Originally from Thandla village in Madhya Pradesh and coming from a common middle-class background, Arpit's father worked as a bus conductor. The Pandya brothers (Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya) and the Pathan brothers (Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan) have also been witnesses to Arpit's struggles. Arpit started his cricket career in Vadodara and is currently doing well by playing for the Meghalaya team. "I have been playing Ranji Trophy for the last 8 years. ''I am very happy and happy that I have been selected in the Duleep Trophy,'' cricketer Arpit Bhatewara said in an exclusive conversation with Divya Bhaskar. I also had a good Ranji Trophy season this year. I have scored 2 centuries in a total of 5 matches of the Ranji season. It is because of this good performance that I have got a chance in the Duleep Trophy. Right now, everything is going very well from the Meghalaya team. I have been playing Ranji Trophy for the last 7-8 years. There was an injury in between. I started from Tripura, after that my uncle lives in Meghalaya, so I went there and worked hard for 8 years and got the opportunity to play. I have got a lot of support from the Meghalaya Cricket Association. I thank him very much. 'I started my cricket career in Vadodara' "My hometown is Madhya Pradesh, my village Thandla is located on the border of Gujarat and Rajasthan. I started my cricket career in Vadodara. In 2010, I moved to Vadodara. My father used to work as a bus conductor on the Surat route, so it was convenient to come and go to Vadodara. After coming to Vadodara, I started playing cricket seriously. "The Pathan brothers supported me a lot during difficult times. In the beginning, Nayan Mongia sir supported me a lot and Milap Mewada sir taught me the techniques and nuances of cricket. Apart from this, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan brothers also supported me a lot during my difficult times. From 2011 to 2016, I played for Vadodara. Then Satyajit Parab sir also gave me a lot of guidance and support. They are still supportive today. 'I did small jobs to make a living' ''I never stopped playing cricket,'' he said. In 2016, when I didn't get a chance to play in Vadodara, I shifted to Meghalaya, where my uncle and aunt lived. In between, there was a period of 2 to 2.5 years of COVID. In the meantime, I had started small jobs and sports businesses to earn a living. Usually, after the age of 25, there is pressure from the family to settle down or get a permanent job. 'I couldn't play the BCCI's official tournament' My parents and especially my mom gave me tremendous support in this regard. He never forced him to quit playing and take up a job and took care of the household expenses. For 8 years from 2017 to 2024, I used to practice and play every day. I couldn't play the official BCCI tournament but I was confident that if I continue to work hard, one day I will get a chance. "I will continue to perform in Ranji and other tournaments. Finally, I got a chance to play in Meghalaya, where officials like Dipankar sir, Bishal sir and Nava sir have helped me a lot. I will keep working hard and perform well on the field and focus on the process. If I continue to perform well in the Ranji Trophy and other tournaments, then I may get a chance to play in the IPL as well. All you have to do is keep working hard and bring laurels to your parents. 'My father raised us by becoming a bus conductor' My father is a bus conductor and he has nurtured us by becoming a bus conductor for many years. We come from a very ordinary middle-class family. So I want to perform well so that everything becomes better for my family and myself. 'My goal is to play for the country' Talking about his goal, he said, "When any cricketer starts playing cricket at a young age, he has only one main goal: to play for Team India. My goal is also to play for the country in the future. I want to bring laurels to my hometown, my village, my family and Meghalaya by performing well in the IPL. 'Kunal Pandya sent the bat after my double century' "The experience with players like Hardik Pandya, Kunal Pandya, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan has been very good and inspiring. Today, Hardik and Kunal are very big players at the international level. We have played cricket together for 5-6 years in the past. After my double hundred, Kunal Pandya sent the bat for me. I also have a very good relationship with Irrfan bhai and Yusuf bhai. He has supported me a lot in difficult times and has never said no to anything. Currently I have come to Vadodara and M. M. I am staying at Chaudhary Hostel. 'Both brothers congratulate on being selected for Duleep Trophy' They also feel very proud to see that I have not given up even after so many years of struggle. Recently, when I was selected for the Duleep Trophy, both the brothers messaged me and congratulated me. I talk to Irfan Bhai often. I also talk a little bit with Hardik, because Hardik is a little busy, but it's not like that, he talks whenever he gets time. Not regularly, but often. 'My parents have played a big role in my struggle' ''I have got full support from my family,'' he added. I've just worked hard. I have worked and still do, so there has been a lot of struggle. But my parents have been a big contributor to it. It often happens that if the boy has not been doing well for a long time, then the relatives or people around him ask the parents, 'What is the boy doing? How much do you earn?'. My parents never doubted me. Wherever I am today is all because of my dad and mom. He has supported me a lot. 'My job is just to give a good performance' Asked if he is ready to play in the IPL, he said that he has not spoken directly to any franchise yet, but if there is a good performance this year, there will definitely be a good opportunity. My job is just to give good performances on the field. If my performance is good, I will take advantage of whatever opportunity I get. IPL is a very big platform. 'IPL is a very good platform for young players' Players like Chetan Sakariya, Siraj or Mayank Yadav, who did well in the IPL this year and have got a chance to play directly in the Indian team. Playing for the country is a big thing. If you do well in domestic cricket and get selected in the IPL and perform well there, then the way to reach the Indian team opens up. IPL is a very good platform for young players like us.