Manipur upgrades U-23 player to senior squad
Delhi cricketer Hrithik Kanojia, who earlier represented the north-east side in the U-23 category, will turn out as a ‘guest player’; pace spearhead Meitei will lead the side.
Published : Sep 15, 2018 21:53 IST
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.
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.