America’s new fighter Harmeet from Mumbai: Coach said- When his name came up in fixing, everyone ignored him, he scored 38 runs in Super-8 and also took 2 wickets

The first Super-8 match of the T20 World Cup. Chasing a target of 195 runs against South Africa, the US lost 5 wickets for 76 runs. Victory seemed difficult from here, then another Mumbaikar (resident of Mumbai) showed his skills.

Harmeet, who played the Under-19 World Cup for India in 2010, scored 38 runs in 22 balls with the help of 2 fours and 3 sixes. He brought America in the match by making a partnership of 93 runs with Andreas Gaus. Although his team lost the match by 18 runs, Harmeet’s batting caught everyone’s attention.

31-year-old Harmeet has played in the same team with Indian captain Rohit Sharma during his school days. Harmeet has also played under Rohit Sharma. Coach Dinesh Lad I have taken training from him. After the match, coach Dinesh Lad said Daily newspaper Shared Harmeet’s struggle story with him.

The coach said- ‘After his name was accidentally included in the 2012 IPL spot-fixing scandal, people’s perception towards him changed and everyone started ignoring him. But Harmeet did not give up and started playing for Tripura-Jammu. Due to lack of opportunities, Harmeet went to America and proved himself.’

Dinesh Lad’s answers to Bhaskar’s questions

Question: Two days ago, Harmeet gave you the credit for his success?
answer- This is the greatness of Harmeet Singh. It feels good when an international player talks about his coach at this level. I was a coach at Swami Vivekanand School in 2002, when this school had just opened in Goregaon, Mumbai. Harmeet was admitted in Class 7.

I was making the school cricket team and was looking for talented kids. Then Sanjay Patil (currently the chairman of Mumbai Senior Selection Committee) told me that he has seen a boy who is very talented. You should call him once. I took Harmeet’s father’s number from him and called him to invite Harmeet for a trial.

When Harmeet bowled the first ball, I told a parent standing with me that this is Bishan Bedi. Later, many senior cricketers called him the future Bishan Singh Bedi. Our senior cricketer Dilip Sir Desai had said that he bowls like Bishan Singh Bedi. In the Under-19 World Cup too, many former cricketers had called him the future Bishan Singh Bedi.

Question: Where and what does Harmeet’s family do?
answer- Harmeet’s father lives in Mumbai. He is into property dealing. His mother died of Covid. He was in the USA at that time and could not come. He regrets this even today.

Harmeet’s mother has played a huge role in his career. His mother was always with him. She used to sit in the academy and wait for Harmeet while he was coaching. Her house was 40 minutes away from our academy, and it was on his mother’s insistence that Harmeet’s father shifted his house from Malad to Boroli. Harmeet lives in America with his wife and his father and sister live in Mumbai.

Question: Why did you advise him to train under Praveen Amre and Padmakar Shivalkar?
answer- I sent Harmeet to Shivaji Park Gymkhana to train Praveen Amre and Paddkar Shivalkar sir because Shivalkar sir was a very good left arm spinner. I thought he could guide him better. He improved a lot there.

Question- Harmeet played the Under-19 World Cup in 2012. Why did he shift to America?
answer– Harmeet has also played in the Under-19 World Cup. He has also played Ranji for Mumbai. While making his debut for Mumbai in Ranji, he took 7 wickets against Himachal Pradesh. But, unfortunately, his name was mistakenly involved in the match fixing with Rajasthan Royals. After which people’s attitude towards him changed. He did not get a place in the Mumbai team.

I had advised Harmeet and his father not to leave Mumbai, but he started playing from Jammu, then also played from Tripura, but he was not able to get a place in Team India. He wanted to play cricket only. That is why he decided to go to America. He was also suffering financial losses. That is why I did not stop him. He performed well in the US. He also performed brilliantly in the minor league. After that he got a place in the US team.

Question- What does Harmeet do in America?
answer- He gives coaching in cricket. Cricket is becoming popular in America. So he runs an academy and plays club matches two days a week.

Question: How did you like the American team?
answer- I have been following them since the beginning of the World Cup. Their performance has been astonishing. I am more impressed with their bowling. Along with Harmeet, there is another Mumbai player Saurav Netravalkar. Ali Khan is also bowling well. The American batsmen are also doing well. The way Jones and Gough batted in the first match is commendable. America does not look like a new team at all. It looks like a professional team.

Question: This time there is going to be a mega auction of IPL, do you think any team can buy Harmeet?
answer- I feel that he might get a chance again in the IPL. He has bowled and batted well in the minor leagues. He is doing well in the World Cup as well. I hope some team will definitely buy him.

Question: How do you see Harmeet’s performance in the World Cup?
His performance has been better. In the match against South Africa, he took 2 wickets for 24 runs in 4 overs. His performance can improve further in the coming times. He is currently 30 years old. A spinner can play cricket till 40-45 years. I think his future is bright.

Question- What is one thing you consider strong in Harmeet?
answer- Like Rohit, Harmeet also has self-confidence. Once upon a time, it was a school match. Our team was all out for 130 runs in a 45-over match. I was very nervous. I told the team players that you did not play well. Harmeet came and said, Sir, don’t worry, we will win this match. We will get them out for 80-90 runs. In fact, he got the team all out for 92 runs.