Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 23 (ANI): Delhi batter Sanat Sangwan opened up on sharing the crease during the legend's last first-class game in state colours during the Ranji Trophy last year, calling it "one of the most memorable days" of his career and reflecting on his learnings that came out of it.
Sanat, who was Delhi's second-highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy last season, with 828 runs in seven matches and 14 innings, including three centuries and three fifties, has earned a spot in the Duleep Trophy squad of the North Zone, which is facing West Zone at Bengaluru.
Sanat shared the crease with Virat during the Ranji Trophy back in January-February last year, when the batting icon touched down in his hometown for playing his first Ranji fixture in over a decade, but got out for just six runs. After Virat announced his retirement from Tests in May ahead of the England tour, the match against Railways, where Sanat shared a few minutes with the crease, became Virat's last-ever red-ball match.
Speaking about the match, as quoted by Cricinfo, Sanat recalled how Virat was freely talking and joking around with everyone and left everyone a gift, including him, a signed MRF bat, on which he also gave the youngster best wishes.
"It was one of the most memorable days of my career," he said. "I knew him for his aggression on the field, so I had a completely different image of him in my mind. But when he met us in the dressing room, he seemed completely different. He was talking to everyone freely, joking around, and he also gave everyone some kind of gift. I received his MRF-signed bat, on which he wrote my name and gave me his best wishes," he added.
Sanat recalled that he did not get to speak much from him but learnt a lot from his work ethic, his punctuality at training and still carries with him the advice about consistency in cricket.
"I did not get to speak much with him, but I personally learned a lot from his work ethic. He came for practice two days, was always on time for every training session, and gave 100 per cent every time. Apart from that, there is one thing he said that I still remember: consistency is very important in this game of cricket. He also said, 'When the pitch is difficult, and a batter scores a century, or when the pitch is flat, and a bowler takes five wickets, that is something to strive for," he added.
Sanat also said that from Virat, he learnt the importance of taking challenges in one's career.
"When the conditions are not in your favour, being able to do something special is what matters most for the team," he added.
Like the batting legend, Sanat also likes his tattoos, including one on his arm reading "Still I Rise", inspired by F1 legend Lewis Hamilton.
About the former F1 world champion, Sanat said, "I have watched many of his interviews. I really like his mindset and attitude," Sangwan said. "He is very focused and works a lot on his patience. I got the inspiration of meditation only from him," he signed off.
Notably, in the ongoing Delhi Premier League (DPL) for South Delhi Superstarz, he made 281 runs in seven matches and innings at an average of 46.83 and a strike rate of over 183, with a century to his name.
In 14 first-class matches, Sanat has made 1,213 runs at an average of 55.13, with three centuries and five fifties in 25 innings, with a best score of 211*. (ANI)
"One of the most memorable days of my career": Delhi's Sanat Sangwan on sharing crease with Virat Kohli
