Wodonga Raiders’ Indian recruit says he’s under no pressure to replicate his countrymen’s stunning form.
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Herkeren Gujral arrived in the country on Thursday and will face Sahib Malhotra’s Tallangatta on Saturday.
New City import Saurabh Bandekar has played only two games but already sits seventh in run-scoring with 126 at 63.
Malhotra averages 205.
The Bushies’ all-rounder was part of the Indian under 19 squad, while Bandekar has played first-class cricket, so it would be unfair to expect 21-year-old Gujral to dominate.
“I’ll do my regular batting when playing,” he said when quizzed on the comparison with the star Indian duo.
“Yesterday (Thursday) I was batting in the nets, I feel like I’m in good form.”
Gujral played against Malhotra in Canada recently.
“I’m excited to play against him because he’s very good,” he said.
The wicketkeeper-opening batsman racked up 350 runs and was named top gloveman at 50-over level in Canada.
An aggressive right-hander, Gujral has also spent two years in New Zealand, racking up more than 1500 runs.
“I’m used to playing on green wickets in New Zealand,” he said.
Kiwi dasher Brendon McCullum is his favourite player, so if Gujral adopts a similar attitude, it will be riveting to watch.
Despite his youth, the association’s latest overseas player boasts a mature attitude, given he’s often played as a lower-age player at junior level.
“My background is very poor and I want to play cricket, I’m nine years old when I played my first game in school cricket,” he said.
“My dream is to play international matches, like Big Bash, IPL (Indian Premier League).”
Raiders, who are chasing their first 50-over win, will host the Bushies.
My dream is to play international matches, like Big Bash, IPL.
- Herkeren Gujral
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