I wish my father had been here to see this: Chetan Sakariya on India call-up

Saurashtra and Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Chetan Sakariya stated he wished his father was here to witness his success. The youngster’s father recently died last month because of Covid-19.

Sakariya was able to get his maiden national call-up for the tour of Sri Lanka in the ODI and T20I squad. The left-arm fast bowler was able to impress in the Indian Premier League while playing for Rajasthan Royals.

Sakariya made an impressive debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore as he scalped three wickets. He had returned with 3-31 in his maiden match of the tournament. The left-arm fast bowler snared seven wickets in seven matches for the Royals as he bowled with a decent economy rate of 8.22.

“I wish my father had been here to see this. He wanted me to play for India. I miss him a lot today. God has made me see ups and downs in a span of one year. It has been a very emotional ride so far,” Sakariya told The Indian Express.

In fact, Sakariya has gone through a difficult period in his young career as he recently lost his younger brother, who committed suicide.

“I lost my younger brother and a month later I got a big IPL contract. I lost my father last month, and god has handed me an India call-up.

I was in the hospital for seven days when my father was battling for his life. This is an irreplaceable void. This one is for my late father and for my mother, who allowed me to continue with my cricket,” the youngster went on.

Interestingly, Sakariya hasn’t even played for India A and thus it was a big surprise that the Chetan Sharma-led selection panel picked him for the national side. Sakariya added that he will give his best for the national team.

“The way people were talking about me after the IPL, I was thinking that now at least I have a chance to be a net bowler for the Indian team. I never expected that I will straightaway be picked in the main squad for Sri Lanka. Now it has happened, I will give my best,” Sakariya said.

India will play the first ODI against Sri Lanka at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on 13th July.