The in-form Cheteshwar Pujara – with his centuries in Australia and also the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Karnataka – was expected to stand between Vidarbha and the team’s second consecutive Ranji title.
But he managed to score just 1 run in the final. Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate, 29, picked his wicket both the times.
In fact, Sarwate starred in his team’s 78-run win over Saurashtra, picking 5/98 in the first innings and then scoring a vital 49 in the second innings to help set a 206-run target. He then returned to take six wickets in 24 overs to take his tally for the match to 11 wickets.
Sarwate, named Man of the Match of the Ranji final, also finished as the season’s third-highest wicket-taker.
Life, however, hasn't always been a celebration for Sarwate.
25 years back, when Sarwate’s father was making a routine road trip to Mumbai to meet his brother-in-law, a tanker smashed into his vehicle. The accident left him in a coma. He recovered consciousness but he was left paralysed for the rest of his life. Aditya was just 3.
Anand Sarwate – now 59 and also a former Nagpur University cricketer – may not be able to express happiness at his son’s success but then again, he doesn't need to. 55 wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season would make any parent proud.
“My father is stable now, but the head injury he suffered is beyond repair. It was his dream that I play Ranji Trophy cricket and then go on to represent India. He was so delighted when we won the Ranji Trophy last season.”Aditya Sarwate to Mid-Day
Aditya’s mother Anushree Sarwate, a bank official, became the sole earner of the family after her husband’s accident. Aditya grew up helping his mother in every manner – by feeding and bathing his father, and completing his education while pursuing his dream of playing professional cricket.
“He has seen so much struggle in life. In personal life with his father and then on the cricket field also. But he was so focussed – and all that trouble matured him early. He understands life. The accident changed him completely. When any young boy consults him, he always tells them to focus on studies. He, too, completed his graduation, a diploma in financial management that he topped,” Anushree told The Indian Express.
(With inputs from The Indian Express and Mid-Day)
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