Robin Bist : A splendid tale of migration!

[rkt.india]

t is said, ÃÕhe only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary? There is no alternative to hard work and this fine Delhi-born cricketer is a living example of what grit and determination can do. Despite scoring a hundred in his first appearance for Delhi in the U14s, Bist never got a chance to prove his mettle in the higher-age groups. In search of better opportunities and ÅÑolitics-free cricket? Bist migrated to Rajasthan to pursue his love for the gentlemenÃÔ game. Ū kept working hard but somehow couldnÃÕ get enough opportunities to represent my state (Delhi) as there was too much politics involved in the entire process, retorted Bist when probed on what made him leave his state. Ū went to Rajasthan in the year 2005 and was pleased that everything was on the basis of merit there, he further added. However, the switch didnÃÕ pay off instantly. The right-hander was denied a place in the India U19 team despite being the second-highest run-getter for the Rajasthan U19. Ū didnÃÕ know how to react at that time. I was completely shattered at not being picked for India U19. I was almost in tears, recalled Bist. Ūt was from that day on that I decided to focus on my game and not think about things (selection) beyond my control? he went on to add. BistÃÔ heroics in RajasthanÃÔ road to glory have been well chronicled already but not many know of the role Sachin Tendulkar played in helping this Rajasthan run-machine from Delhi evolve. It was one fine day during the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League when a ten-minute conversation with the little master impelled Bist. Ū am thankful to Sachin (Tendulkar) for all the advice he gave me during my brief conversation with him during the IPL. He told me that just like him, even I am a short-statured batsman and the fast bowlers will try to push me back. In order to be prepared for the same, he asked me to work hard on my back-foot stroke-play. He also gave me tips on how to play with the synthetic ball in order to work on that aspect of my game. ŵhose were his words and next season I went on to score more than 1000 runs for Rajasthan in a season, a very satisfied Bist told ESPNSTAR.com. The chance to share the dressing room with the worldÃÔ best in the IPL, the fame that follows, and not to mention the ÅÆncouraging advice? is not something that is going to distract Bist. Ã…Â¥omestic cricket matters to me. I always wanted to be a Test player and prove my worth in the longer format, which is the ultimate test of ability, said Bist when asked about playing in the cash-rich Indian Premier League. Bist did feature in the Delhi Daredevils squad in the fifth edition but didnÃÕ get a game. Ÿell, to be honest, Delhi Daredevils is too big a team to accommodate all the players but it is not the end of the road for me, said Bist, while referring to the star-studded line-up of the Daredevils. The Rajasthan batsman seems to be on auto-pilot mode at the moment as he is not putting a foot wrong. The right-handerÃÔ outing against the Rest of India in the Irani Cup match would have definitely grabbed attention of the men who matter. He notched up a century in the first innings and a well-compiled half-century in the second, that too against a bowling attack featuring the likes of Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha. The batsman was pleased with a good outing in the middle after an injury lay-off for three months. Ūt felt good to score some runs after being out of action for three months but I am disappointed to end on the losing side. As far as my batting is concerned, it is indeed good to start the season on a good note, Bist told ESPNSTAR.com after the Rest of India crushed Rajasthan by an innings and 79 runs on Monday. There are too many selection theories floating nowadays - one where a player is injected into the scheme of things at a young age while another suggests that the player slogs it out in the domestic set-up to earn his place. Such theories fail to distract Bist, who is ÅÆnjoying his cricket at the moment? Ū am not thinking too much at the moment, I am simply enjoying my cricket. Even Badrinath played for India after scoring tons and tons of runs in the domestic circuit. So these (when to play for India) are the things I have no control over, reiterated Bist. Å«ust like every cricketer, I have a dream to play for my country, even if it is for just one ball. There is nothing like playing for your country, Bist signed off on a positive note.

http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/india-domestic-cricket/news/detail/item862766/A-splendid-tale-of-migration/

[Sandeep99]

Robin Bist fom Delhi?! He was awesome in the last two Ranji seasons... Hope he doesn't become another could've been story of Indian cricket!!