Image Source: PTI
[Saba Sports News] In 2009, during a Ranji Trophy Super League match between Mumbai and Himachal Pradesh at the Bandra Kurla Complex, 17-year-old left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh made his first-class debut.
Harmeet vividly recalls his first spell: “Ajit Agarkar, who is now India’s chief selector, was fielding at mid-on. He played very tough cricket. I had taken two wickets on debut and was getting some turn in my spell. Captain Wasim bhai (Jaffer) hadn’t kept a short midwicket for me. After a couple of overs, I dropped one short and was hit for four. From midwicket, Ajit told me, ‘Harmeet, I’m fetching the ball this time; next time if you drop short and he hits a four, you’ll have to get the ball yourself.’
“After two or three overs, I again dropped short and got smashed for four. Ajit looked at me and said, ‘Chal jaa ball leka aa (go fetch the ball).’ I started running after the ball, feeling embarrassed. I had covered half the ground when I heard Rohit Sharma’s voice behind me, ‘Paaji, ruk (You wait).’ Rohit, also young in the team, had come running from his position to get the ball.”