Delhi’s Manan wants to do it for his father

Cricketer Manan Sharma’s happiness knows no bounds. The 18-year-old, currently training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has become the latest to join the Delhi Daredevils. Heena Zuni Pandit reports.

Cricketer Manan Sharma’s happiness knows no bounds. The 18-year-old, currently training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has become the latest to join the Delhi Daredevils.

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The left-arm spinner-cum-batsman --- who is better known as cricketer Ajay Sharma’s son --- feels the contract has come because of his recent performances, especially in the under-19 series Down Under. He grabbed nine wickets and scored 126 runs in the two innings he batted.

After playing six Ranji one-day matches for Delhi spread over two seasons, Sharma has now taken an NOC from DDCA to play for Haryana. “I have taken the decision after giving it much thought. We (my father and I) felt that this would be good for me considering that I need to harness my potential at this moment. And playing for Delhi, it might not be possible right now,” he said.

It’s been over a month now since Sharma met his family, as he is at the NCA preparing for the U-19 World Cup. But the youngster says he is capitalising on the opportunity that has come his way to polish his skills as an all-rounder, for, he wants to makes his father’s “dream come true”.

Sharma’s father, Ajay, was banned for life following the match-fixing scandal in 2000. Despite the senior Sharma having an impressive first-class record, especially playing for Delhi, he played only one Test — against West Indies in which he scored 25 and 32 runs respectively.