New Delhi, Feb 8 (NationPress) On Monday, left-arm wrist-spinner Ansh Patel is set to step onto the field at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, located just 110 kilometers from Vadodara, the city where he dedicated 12 years to perfecting his cricketing abilities. However, rather than donning India's iconic blue uniform, Ansh will proudly wear Canada's vibrant red jersey as they kick off their Group D campaign against a formidable South Africa.

Ansh's journey to represent Canada in the Men's T20 World Cup is anything but ordinary. Born in Vadodara and raised in Toronto, he eventually returned to his birthplace after developing his skills within India's domestic cricket framework. Notably, he was a member of the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2022.

However, a significant regulatory change, which mandated Indian passport holders for domestic cricket participation, compelled Ansh to move back to Canada, where he now finds a place in their T20 World Cup squad.

"My life has undergone a tremendous transformation. Just five years ago, I was in Baroda, playing for the state team in T20 competitions and even getting selected for the Punjab Kings in IPL 2022. Unfortunately, a BCCI rule change forced me to return to Canada because I hold a Canadian passport," he shared.

“I've received immense support from family, friends, and the cricket board. As a newcomer here, I was warmly welcomed, dedicated myself to the game, performed well, and made my international debut after relocating back to Canada in June 2024.

“My inaugural series for Canada took place in September 2024 against Oman and Nepal, which was a moment of great pride for me and my family. I can confidently say that for any athlete, representing your country is always a cherished milestone,” Ansh recounted in an exclusive interview with IANS.

Ansh's passion for cricket ignited when, at the age of six, he watched Shane Warne's legendary leg-spin bowling tutorial videos in Toronto, where he had moved as a ten-month-old baby. "I watched a YouTube video of Shane Warne bowling, one of the most iconic tutorials on leg spin, and I instantly fell in love with the game. That moment sparked my love for cricket and bowling," he explained.

By the age of eight, Ansh was enrolled in a cricket academy in Toronto. However, recognizing the limitations of the city's cricket infrastructure, his father, Pradip, made a remarkable sacrifice—leaving behind a stable life in Canada to relocate the family to Vadodara in 2012, enabling his son to pursue cricket at its highest level.

"At just 10 years old, my father recognized my potential and chose to quit his career to move to India. I owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude because it’s no small feat for a parent to abandon their life in Canada. He had a good career, but he prioritized my dream of playing for India above all else," he expressed.

The family's bold decision was soon validated by former Indian opener Aunshuman Gaekwad, who recognized Ansh's talent during a trial session in Ahmedabad in 2010 and advised them to move to Vadodara when he turned ten.

"My dad reached out to him when he was in Ahmedabad, saying, 'My son is exceptionally talented.' We traveled to Ahmedabad, where he observed my bowling. That day, India's former keeper Parthiv Patel was also present. I bowled to him and managed to get him out, which impressed Aunshuman sir greatly.

“He said, 'Your child has real talent.' He advised us to wait until I was about 10 or 11 so I could join and play for Baroda, given that I was born there and eligible to play immediately. As soon as I turned 10, we moved back, and that’s where my cricket career truly began," he recounted.

Ansh subsequently represented Baroda in various age groups including U14, U16, U19, and U23, along with sporadic appearances for the senior team. He also participated in a national U16 camp that featured players like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harsh Dubey. His initial exposure to high-level cricket came through former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More, who discovered him during a club match and arranged for him to practice at the Reliance Ground.

More then forwarded his bowling videos to the Mumbai Indians, who invited him for trials and later included him as a net bowler for their IPL 2020 and 2021 campaigns. Sharing the training environment with stars like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and the Pandya brothers, Ansh even had the opportunity to meet the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, a dream come true for him.

"For any cricketer growing up in India, meeting the greatest player is always a special experience, as he is considered the God of cricket. I was thrilled to meet him. The learnings I gained at MI were invaluable, helping me understand the demands of professional cricket, which ultimately paved the way for my selection into the Punjab Kings IPL team," he remarked.

Ansh's selection for the Punjab Kings in 2022 came after head coach Anil Kumble recognized his talent, resulting in an emotional moment for Pradip. "He observed my bowling and said, 'I’m going to select you.' I was in disbelief, but he confirmed it. On the day of the 2022 IPL mega auction, I informed my dad, and he initially thought I was joking. I assured him it was true, and he said, 'Let’s see.'

“When Kumble finally raised the paddle for me, it was an incredibly emotional moment. At 20 years old, that day was monumental for my family. My father was in tears, as his dream of seeing me achieve this milestone had finally materialized. His sacrifices in moving to India were validated when I received that IPL selection," he shared.

Under Kumble's mentorship, Patel learned essential lessons about mental preparation and strategies tailored for specific batters. “I understood what it takes to be a professional player, including the requisite levels of fitness and skill, in addition to mental strength.

“While everything seems equal on the surface, it ultimately comes down to how you mentally approach challenges and prepare for games. Anil sir emphasized the importance of developing specific plans for batters and executing them effectively—this became my guiding principle,” he noted.

While serving as a net bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants, Ansh received an unexpected email that led to a pivotal change in his career. The BCCI's ruling mandating Indian passport holders for domestic cricket participation meant Ansh, holding a Canadian passport, could no longer play.

After confirming the rule change with More and Baroda Cricket Association officials, Pradip informed Ansh that it was time to return to Canada. The timing was fortuitous—Canada had regained ODI status and cricket was gaining momentum. Although Ansh's parents continue to live in India and visit Canada during the summer, he has established himself in Toronto with his brother and sister-in-law.

"My dad reassured me, 'There’s no reason to be upset. Let’s prepare to move back to Canada.' With Canada regaining ODI status, it was the ideal moment to return. In June 2024, I packed my bags and boarded a flight back to Toronto. Now here I am, fulfilling my dream of representing a country in an ICC Cricket World Cup, whether it’s the 50-over or 20-over format," he said.

As a wicket-taking spinner in the middle overs, Ansh's role is clearly defined, despite his limited international experience—two ODIs and five T20Is. His years spent in India's domestic structure give him a significant advantage, especially since Canada will compete in games in Ahmedabad, New Delhi, and Chennai.

"My responsibility is to take wickets, and the team counts on me for breakthroughs in the middle overs. I approach bowling with an attacking mindset. My goal is straightforward: to take wickets and support the team. My Indian cricket experience will undoubtedly assist me, as I have essentially grown up in this environment," he explained.

“In Canada, we have a large Indian-origin community, which has been fantastic. We bond over shared experiences and enjoy each other's company. This diversity enriches our environment, and we take pride in representing Canada in this World Cup,” he added.

After a three-week training camp in Sri Lanka, where they prepared amidst snowy conditions at home, Canada faced challenging warm-up matches in Chennai. They find themselves in a formidable Group D, competing against South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and UAE—a challenge Ansh refers to as 'the group of death.'

However, following their victory over Ireland in the last T20 World Cup, Canada believes they are on the rise. Ansh, who seamlessly switches between English, Hindi, and Gujarati, concluded with a philosophical reflection on the unpredictability of his cricketing journey.

"From my experience, I can say life is fleeting; you should seize every opportunity. You can never predict where life will lead you. Just three years ago, I was in Baroda. Now, I find myself in a hotel, representing Canada in the World Cup. Life is short—give it your all!"