PANAJI
Among the big scores from either innings in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C fixture between Goa and Rajasthan in Porvorim, a bowling performance stood out.
The guiles up the sleeve of Right arm Offbreak bowler Mohit Redkar was on display right from word go and on Ranji debut. Coming on to bowl as first change from the Clubhouse End on day 3, the Navelim-based offie unveiled a few tricks up his sleeve to have a well-set Mahipal Lomror watchfully play out a maiden.
By end of the third day, Mohit was instrumental in ensuring Goa were the likely team to have a vital first innings lead with two late scalps. Goa may not have had much success on the decisive final day, and late order resistance by Rajasthan, may have resulted in an early draw of stumps, but in Mohit Redkar Goa saw a silver lining. The First Class debutant stood out with his persistence and perseverance to nag and probe at the batsmen on a lifeless track, bowling long spells and being rewarded with a 5-fer (47-14-113-5).
Speaking to The Goan, at the end of the match, Mohit was pleased by his effort on a docile wicket. "To get a 5-fer in the first game (Ranji Trophy) is obviously a good feeling. I have put in hard work in the past few years and that has paid off today," Mohit remarked. With the effort, the Navelim-resident joins two other Goa bowlers, Avinash Aware and Ganeshraj Narvekar in an elite club of picking a 5-fer on First Class debut.
Among the five wickets, he ranks his third scalp as his best. "The ball which I bowled to Kamlesh Nagarkoti spun and he was bowled (on no score).
Revealing his team's talk entering the last day, he stated, "We just wanted to restrict them as soon as possible by picking the four wickets which were left. We actually wanted to give them (Rajasthan) follow-on but due to the two partnerships in the end we could not."
It is not the first time that Mohit has picked up a 5-fer. "I have picked a 5-fer in my debut u-23 match against Railways (6-62) but obviously to get a 5-fer in my debut Ranji Trophy match is obviously a different feeling, a great feeling," he stated.
Mohid Redkar may have batted at 9 on debut, and played a few shots in his 28-run cameo, but maintains he is not yet a bowling allrounder. "Right now, I won't say anything, If my team requires me to score runs, I will give my 100 per cent," he said.
Interestingly, until U-16 Mohit was an opener and only later started batting down the order and developed primarily as a bowler.
Mohit Redkar began playing cricket aged seven under the tutelage of noted cricket coach, Sandeep Naik at SAG, Fatorda. He began playing for the State at 12 at the U-14 level.
The 22-year-old dedicates his five-for in his debut game to his coach, as well as his parents and sister.
Looking at the progress of his nascent career as a Goa senior team player, he kept it simple. "I take a lot of positives from this match. I just want to take one game at a time and give my 100 per cent and help the team win."
He praised his captain for the support in letting him develop as a State cricketer. "Darshan (Misal) is a very good captain to be honest and he gives me opportunities, the freedom to set the field (as a bowler) and bat the way I want to, even if I want to hit (the ball)."
