Last Update: January 21, 2023, 09:37 AM IST
Himmat Singh plays a shot during the Ranji Trophy.
Himmat never felt any pressure while taking over as captain. After all, Delhi got its first win in this season under his leadership.
The Elite Group B fixture of the Ranji Trophy recently at the Arun Jaitley Stadium had some exciting scenes. On one side of the ring, it was Mumbai – the 41-time champions, equipped with some fine young talent and one win away from the quarter-finals. And on the other, stands an unsettled Delhi, which is finding it difficult even to coax its captain into action. The team was already struggling to field a good bowling lineup and Yash Dhull falling ill only added to their woes.
Amidst such an uncertain scenario, the management showed faith in a youngster and Delhi, who looked troubled mostly this season, was a completely different entity. The responsibility was handed over to a young Himmat Singh and under his leadership Delhi won Bombay by 8 wickets.
Himmat knew that he was going to face heavy opposition, which included Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Armaan Jaffer and Ajinkya Rahane. But after leading Delhi in age-group cricket, Himmat treated this fixture as just another game. And perhaps, the leadership got the best of him as he smashed 85 in the first innings.
“A certain level of comfort has come. Aapne jaise kaha, maine child se Delhi ko kiya kiya hai. Main pressure leta nahi. I take it as a normal game because I have done it before as well,” Himmat told the media after Delhi’s outright win.
Had this been the result a few weeks back, Delhi would have been enjoying a spot in the upper half of the points table. But it is also a fact that the team had gone through the toughest phase with most of the players ruled out due to injury. But with every game, the players tried to avert the odd in whatever capacity they could.
“There have been changes. But the roles are clear for the bowlers. Everybody knows what is expected of them; line, length etc. Could have got into controversy,” said Himmat.
“Whatever we have said in this game, we have done it. That’s why we never got lost in this match. He was an inexperienced player. It took them 2-3 matches to understand what they could do better.
Himmat never felt any pressure while taking over as captain. After all, Delhi got its first win in this season under his leadership. But at the same time, he also firmly believes that boys should not get excited by victory.
“I am of the same opinion. We have set a benchmark now. We have to keep it up. We cannot rest assured that we have won a match.”
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