Fast-bowling all-rounder Aneesh Kapil, who played for Worcestershire and Surrey, was batting well in his 30s in a two-day practice game – his first in India – at the New Hind CC wicket in the Ramesh Dadkar Maidan, Matunga, recently. Just then, though, he got his partner run out after a horrible mix-up.
Kapil still feels guilty about that miscommunication, but he would like to believe that it was not his fault. He mistook the opposition fielder to be a player from another game being played at the adjacent wicket. Eventually, Kapil too got out for 37.
The 25-year-old still regrets failing to use the opportunity to announce himself in Mumbai's cricketing circles as an English player who wants to chase his cricket dream in India.
"That was terrible. I could have got some runs," Kapil said.
"The Matunga ground was small enough where I could have got on easily, but unfortunately I got out. Even if it was a practice game, a century would have helped me make a statement."
The youngster was amazed playing in the Mumbai grounds where multiple matches are played simultaneously.
"It was a great experience. I would wonder how these guys manage to play here, but I understood when I got an opportunity to play here," he said with a smirk.
Having grown up in England, Kapil was inspired to take up the sport by his cricket-crazy father. At the age of nine, Kapil joined Wolverhampton Cricket Club before taking big strides and making into the England U-19 team for the ICC 2012 World Cup. Touted as an international star in the making, he earned contracts with Worcestershire at 17 and Surrey at 19.
However, back-related injuries marred his career.
"I was tagged as one for the future, but injuries became the biggest obstacle at different times," said Kapil with a tinge of sadness.
While a few of his teammates – the likes of Ben Foakes, Ben Duckett, Alex Davis, Craig Overton, Reece Topley, and the like – have gone on to play for the national team, Kapil's career did not take off as planned.
Fit as a fiddle now, the all-rounder has decided to take a different route to pursue his destination, via India.
"I am at a stage where I am seeking newer opportunities. I reached Wasim Jaffer with whom I had a connection. He played for my club in the UK (Wolverhampton CC), and here I am," Kapil said.
The Indian-origin cricketer has been in Mumbai since the first week of February, training at the Indian Airlines ground with local coach Jwala Singh.
"I had a meeting with Jaffer where he talked about the mental aspect of the game. Otherwise, I have been training with Jwala on the Indian Airlines wicket."
Kapil is confident he can find a space in Indian cricket with the kind of talent he has. "I am a batsman who can bowl at 140 (kmph). I can play any sort of high level cricket, there are (seaming) all-rounders (in India) but not a lot (as compared to England)," he said.
The cricketer knows that it is easier said than done to make his way into the ultra competitive world of Indian cricket. Yet, he is confident.
"There's some legal things to be done. However, I see this as a big challenge and an opportunity with the kind of competition around. I am looking forward to it."
Kapil has charted out a blueprint on how he would take the route. "I plan to play a lot of local games here in Mumbai when I return from England after playing cricket there this September. Good performances in Mumbai might be of some help," he said.
Before heading back to England, Kapil has a few assignments including bowling in the nets of the Rajasthan Royals camp in Jaipur, which he sees an opportunity to impress the talent scouts.
Before signing off, Kapil shows a tweet of a cricket journalist in England on how the pacer was bowling 'ROCKETS' against the touring Indian batsmen last year, which also impressed Team India coach Ravi Shastri.
Full Name: Aneesh Kapil
Born: August 3, 1993, Wolverhampton
Played for: England U-19, Surrey, Worcestershire, Worcestershire 2nd XI
* Right-hand batsman & Right-arm fast-medium
* Played 14 First Class games with 466 runs (1x100, 1x50) & 14 wickets
* Played 20 List A games with 315 runs (1x50) & 5 wickets
* Was part of the England U-19 squad for the 2012 ICC U-19 World Cup