Ajinkya Rahane wins hearts with his wonderful gesture after winning Deodhar Trophy

India batsman and Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane won hearts for his wonderful gesture after he led India C to a Deodhar Trophy title on Saturday in Delhi. As soon as he was handed the coveted trophy, Rahane called in Pappu Roy to hold the piece of silverware. Young Roy was absolutely elated, and his beaming and genuine smile said it all. To have had the opportunity to play alongside and against some India greats, and then to receive the winners’ trophy by his skipper meant the world to him.

Pappu Roy is a 23-year old cricketer who plays for Odisha in domestic cricket. Pappu, who lost his parents when he was still a child, is a man of modest means. He hails from Jajpur, a town 70kms away from the state capital. He learnt to play the sport in Kolkata and managed to make ends meet by playing some league cricket. His is an inspiring story that goes on to prove that hard work and dedication always pay off.

When he made his Orissa debut on September, little did he know that a month down the line he would be picked in one of three squads for the Deodhar Trophy, which the BCCI announced just over a week ago. This would give him the opportunity to run shoulders with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina and Ravichandran Ashwin.

A man of modest means

Back in his days of hardship and struggle, he would have to bowl well and pick up wickets to buy himself three square meals a day. “Bhaiya log bulate the aur bolte the ball dalega toh khana khilaoonga. Aur har wicket ka 10 rupaiya dete the. (Seniors in my locality used to summon me to bowl and gave me Rs 10 per wicket),” Papu recalled during an interview with India Today.

But fortunes have favoured his bravery, and only a few days ago, the spinner finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 14 wickets in 8 matches, which fast-tracked him into the Deodhar Trophy. In Saturday’s high-scoring final against India B, Roy bagged 3 wickets en route an India C victory.

Skipper Rahane and youngster Ishan Kishan paved the way for a massive first innings total with twin centuries, Rahane remaining unbeaten on 144. While chasing 353, India B captain Shreyas Iyer fought till the very end with a majestic 148, but his side fell short by 29 runs.

Watch Rahane’s thoughtful gesture here:

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