The inclusion of nine new state teams in the senior category of the upcoming BCCI domestic season has created opportunities for a lot of youngsters. Hrithik Kanojia is one of them.
The 18-year-old Delhi batsman – who represented Manipur in the U-23 category last year – will now join the senior squad as a ‘guest player’ in the Vijay Hazare Trophy starting on September 19.
READ| Shelley Shaurya returns to roots in Manipur
Kanojia cut his cricket teeth in U-14 [in 2012-13 and 2013-14 season] and U-16 [2014-15] categories for Delhi, before shifting loyalties to Manipur. “Since I wasn’t getting chances in Delhi, I moved to Manipur. Last year was my first appearance, and I scored a lot of runs [370 runs including a century in six games] in the one-dayers. I have been going to Manipur for local matches too,” Kanojia told Sportstar on Saturday.
Yashpal Singh [formerly with Tripura] was the state’s first guest signing in August.
The north-east side also roped in Uttar Pradesh cricketer Lakhan Arjun Rawat to fill the remaining outstation vacancy. “I have played U-19 for UP and now I am looking forward to the Manipur stint. I wanted to go to a new state for better opportunities. When I heard Manipur got an affiliation, I thought I could give it a shot,” Rawat said.
On the other hand, Manipur didn’t include Shelley Shaurya – who returned to his roots [from Delhi] to represent his native – in the squad to let the initial focus remain on the home-grown cricketers.
Shaurya is likely to play in the latter half of the season.
Manipur will be led by its pace spearhead K. Homendro Meitei, with Yashpal as his deputy.
Comments
SHARE