This was a different kind of high, the guys went mad, says Amandeep Khare
Amandeep Khare has expressed his immense satisfaction after Chhatisgarh beat Mumbai stating the players had never imagined they would reach such a stage in their lives and it felt surreal to have managed the same. He went on to reveal the situations he faced in the match and the scenario post game.
Chhattisgarh, on Saturday, completed a historic win over heavyweights Mumbai, their first ever over the record Ranji Trophy holders, as the players seemed to be on the brink of erupting with joy. However, until the very end, it didn’t seem like turning out in favour of the underdogs, but a valiant effort from Amandeep Khare ensured the same. Needing 20 off seven balls, he lofted the ball for six to bring the equation down to 14 in an over, before a four and a six on the next two balls by Ajan Mandal meant four was required from as many balls.
"I was only thinking in my mind that he should take a single, but didn't want to tell him anything initially. Then Ajay came and told me 'dekh, chhakka maroonga' (See, I will hit a six). I knew I had to step in. I was reminded of that famous World T20 game in Bangalore. Aapko bhi yaad hoga [you will also remember] - Mushfiqur Rahim celebrated with Bangladesh still needing two. I told Ajay, 'please don't play a bad shot and get out now.' Even if you take a single, it's fine. We're making history here," Khare recalled after the match, reported ESPNCricinfo.
Mandal listened to the advice, as two successive doubles earned them the victory and the players ran onto the pitch, screaming and uprooting the wicket to celebrate the monumental achievement.
"Alag wala high tha yeh, log pagal ho gaye [This was a different kind of high, the guys went mad]," Khare said.
The team had been formed just three years ago and khare has been a part of the contingent ever since. Being the first ever player from the state to play for India having played for the U-19s, while also competing in the Deodhar and Duleep Trophy, Khare knows the significance of the victory for the players.
"This means so much, because growing up, a lot of our players kept wondering when will we get to play big teams, let alone beat them. So now, when the moment has come, it's a little surreal. Bangalore's traffic didn't allow us to celebrate much at the ground, it takes us two hours to get to the hotel. We have a game in less than 12 hours, so a quick team meeting, dinner and sleep. In fact, even my parents don't know yet that I made a century and we won. I will call them now," he revealed.
He comically revealed how the Mumbai players had relentlessly sledged Shashank Singh in the match, considering the latter used to play for Mumbai previously and had shared the pitch with many of those playing. However, in the end, it was nothing but respect between the two sides.
"I told him, your turn will also come, keep waiting, we will win the game and you can say whatever you want. After the game, it was all good. Shreyas Iyer came and congratulated me, Sarfaraz Khan who I played India Under-19 cricket with came and shook hands. I guess even they knew we were destined to win this. Hopefully this is the start of something big for us," Khare concluded.