India wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has been known for his effective wicket-keeping skills and flashy stroke-making abilities and even he was a regular member of the Indian cricket team during the 2000s before making way for the likes of Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni.
Dhoni’s entry into the Indian set-up meant Parthiv’s removal as the former captain went on to became the biggest ambassador for the Indian cricket, though, the Gujarat captain managed to play 65 international games for his country during Dhoni era with the last appearance came in 2018.
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However, the out-of-favor left-hander continues to make a name for himself in the T20 format with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Well, apart from wicketkeeping and batting, Parthiv is also able to bowl and even the Ahmedabad-born bowled 91 deliveries in first-class cricket with his spin, but he couldn’t get a single wicket.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo’s Open Mic Podcast, Parthiv revealed that he could have picked a wicket for India, but it didn’t happen because of a dropped catch by one of his teammates.
Patel rued about not being able to take a wicket for India because of a dropped catch by Ajit Agarkar off his bowling, as he had almost got the wicket of Ravi Bopara during his maiden tour with the Indian team in England back in 2002. It happened during the practice game against Essex.
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Parthiv said on the podcast: “I did (use to bowl). After tea time, when the mandatory overs start and there’s nothing in the game, I usually bowl a few. I actually even bowled against Essex on my first India tour; we were playing a practice game. I remember, Ajit Agarkar dropped a catch off my bowling - of Ravi Bopara. I could have had a wicket.”
The veteran cricketer also revealed that he is still looking up to Baroda wicket-keepers Nayan Mongia and Kiran More, adding: “They were from Baroda but still I used to look up to them.”
He signed off by saying, “I still look up to Kiran More as my wicketkeeping coach; if there’s any query, I go up to him. You wanted to be a wicketkeeper and everyone batted in Nayan Mongia’s style - those black gloves of his and that ‘Aigaa’ thing that everyone from my generation remembers.”
(With HT/ESPN Inputs)
