Vadodara: It was in 2012 that his family shifted from Canada to India so that he could make a career in cricket. And, 16-year-old, Ansh Patel proved his mettle when he recently got selected for the Under-16 national camp organized by National Cricket Academy (NCA). Ansh, an all-rounder, is the only cricketer from the city to have been selected for the camp.
“I loved watching cricket since the age of three. I watched matches on tv and also saw many videos,” Ansh said. His father Pradeep got him in the Toronto Cricket Academy and saw him play cricket. He recognized Ansh’s talent. “When he turned 10, I brought Ansh to Ahmedabad and met former India coach, Anshuman Gaekwad. He saw Ansh and asked us to wait till he turned 12. So I again met Gaekwad in 2012 who said that Ansh has potential,” Pradeep told TOI.
It was then that Pradeep decided to quit his job in Canada and shift to Vadodara with his family that includes his wife, parents and another son. “Ansh joined YSC in Under-12 category and then went on to play in Under-14 west zone tournament,” Pradeep added.
A left-arm chinaman and right-hand batsman, Ansh had a pretty good run this season. He scored 485 runs and bagged 39 wickets in the seven matches he played for Baroda Cricket Association’s Under-16 tournament. Ansh also scored 385 runs and got 15 wickets in the five matches he played in Vijay Merchant Trophy organized by the BCCI. He had scored 171 runs against Mumbai U-16 in December last year.
“Ansh was born in India. We decided to shift here so that he could get good opportunity to play cricket. Back in Canada, there is little scope for this sport. And I am very happy that Ansh is doing well,” Pradeep said.
Ansh Patel