Is Atharva Ankolekar the Costliest Buy of T20 Mumbai League Using It to Propel His Career?

New Delhi, May 19 (NationPress) Mumbai’s left-arm spinner Atharva Ankolekar remains grounded despite being the highest-priced player in the T20 Mumbai League, focusing on his commitment to justify the trust placed in him by the Eagle Thane Strikers, who secured him for Rs 16.25 lakh during the auction earlier this month.

The 24-year-old has made notable strides in his career, showcasing his skills in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He played a crucial role in Mumbai's title-winning match with a thrilling six-ball 16 not out in the SMAT final.

This bowling all-rounder has been exceptional, scoring a key 146 runs while batting in the lower middle order across both tournaments and taking home 12 wickets in 10 games.

His standout bowling performance was against Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he achieved impressive figures of 4-55 in his ten-over spell. Additionally, his top batting performance was a score of 66 against Punjab in the same tournament.

"This is a significant opportunity for me as Eagle Thane Strikers have placed their trust in me by investing the highest amount in the auction. It’s my turn to show my gratitude," Ankolekar shared in an exclusive interview with IANS.

"I'm concentrating on both batting and bowling, as I love contributing to the team in both aspects of the game.

"Our squad is well-balanced with a fine mix of batters, bowlers, and all-rounders. Our preparations are on track, having completed two practice sessions and a gym workout together. We recently played a match as well, and everything is progressing smoothly," he stated regarding the team dynamics for the upcoming tournament.

Most of Ankolekar’s performances last domestic season were under the guidance of Mumbai and Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, whom he praised for his support and encouragement.

"Shreyas Iyer is a very relaxed captain. He has been incredibly supportive, especially when I was fielded directly into the Syed Mushtaq Ali quarter-final against Vidarbha, where I bowled the first over for Mumbai. He instilled confidence in me and knows how to elicit high performance from players. He is a great person as well," the spinner remarked.

With experienced player Shardul Thakur serving as the icon player for Eagle Thane Strikers, Ankolekar expressed excitement about having him on the team, noting his wicket-taking prowess.

"Shardul Thakur's experience will be invaluable to us in the tournament, as he has excelled wherever he has played. His confidence, whether batting or bowling, will be crucial for our team, including myself. He is an aggressive captain, focused on taking wickets, and I’m thrilled to play alongside him.

Ankolekar also named veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as his favorite left-arm spinner in modern cricket. "My idol is Jadeja; he excels in all three facets of the game. I admire him greatly," he said.

With a focus on performance, Ankolekar views the T20 Mumbai League as a gateway to further opportunities, including the Indian Premier League, especially after going unsold in the previous auction.

"This tournament holds immense value for Mumbai players, as many from various state leagues have been recruited into the IPL. Recognizing this, every player has a chance to reach new heights through this platform.

"I have no personal goals; my aim is to contribute to the team's success. I will strive to excel in all three aspects of the game and stay true to my process," he concluded.