(PTI Photo)
The spinner shares insights about former teammates such as Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and others as the T20 World Cup encounter in New York approaches.
In the year 2009, during a Ranji Trophy Super League match between Mumbai and Himachal Pradesh at the Bandra Kurla Complex ground, a 17-year-old left-arm spinner named Harmeet Singh steps onto the field, marking his debut in first-class cricket.
Harmeet vividly remembers his first spell. “Ajit Agarkar (now India chief selector) was fielding at mid-on; he used to play very tough cricket. I was bowling, had taken two wickets on debut, was getting a bit of turn, and was in the middle of the spell. Captain Wasim bhai (Jaffer) hadn’t kept a short midwicket for me. I dropped one short after a couple of overs and was hit for four. From midwicket, Ajit told me: “Harmeet, I’m going this time to fetch the ball; next time if you drop short and he hits a four, you will only have to get the ball.
“After two-three overs, I again dropped short and got smashed for four. Ajit looked at me and said: “Chal jaa ball leka aa (go fetch the ball)”. I started running after the ball. Imagine (the embarrassment), running after the ball after bowling it. I had covered half the ground when I heard Rohit Sharma’s voice behind me, “Paaji, ruk (You wait)”. Rohit had come running from his position and he got the ball. He was also young in the team.”
Rohit Sharma and Harmeet Singh share a school connection, having been coached by Dinesh Lad at Swami Vivekanand School in Borivali. Both have contributed significantly to the school’s cricketing reputation: Rohit as the first student to represent India, and Harmeet by aiding the school in clinching victories in the Giles and Harris Shield inter-school tournaments, marking a historic achievement.
“It was the first time a school from the suburbs had won these prestigious school tournaments, so everyone in Mumbai cricket took notice. Our players got picked in Mumbai teams. After playing Under-14, I was made Mumbai U-16 and then U-19 skipper, and also led the West Zone U-19 team. In that debut Ranji game, I took seven wickets and helped Mumbai win after conceding the first innings lead,” said Harmeet, who was part of India’s 2012 U-19 World Cup winning team.
Similar to Rohit, Harmeet was also recognized as an exceptional talent, although their paths diverged in their careers. However, at the senior level, Harmeet did not experience the same level of success, largely due to reasons beyond his control, including controversies that overshadowed his career in India.
Now, representing the USA in the T20 World Cup, he will face Rohit on Wednesday in New York. For Harmeet, this match also presents an opportunity to reunite with old friends.
“I have played with a lot of them, all those from Mumbai — Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube – then Sanju (Samson), Kuldeep (Yadav). Axar (Patel) and I were in the India U-19 team.
“They all know my journey. I have played with Rahul bhai (Dravid) also in Rajasthan Royals. He knows me from my younger days at NCA. It will be great to catch up, have a conversation,” said the spinner, who moved to the USA in 2020.
Their upcoming match against India holds extra significance following their surprising victory over Pakistan. Although Harmeet didn’t claim any wickets, his tight bowling spell (4-0-34-0) contributed to building pressure on the opposition. However, he understands that facing India will pose a different challenge altogether.
The exposure for USA cricketers is steadily increasing, particularly through their participation in Major League Cricket, where they encountered high-quality opposition. Harmeet, as the first pick for Seattle Orcas, co-owned by the Delhi Capitals franchise, played in the final against MI New York, owned by the Mumbai Indians, which they won.
His next challenge awaits against one of the top T20 batters, Suryakumar Yadav.
“There have been some very good encounters between us. He has made runs and has also got out a few times. I can’t forget his blazing hundred for BPCL (Bharat Petroleum) against us (DY Patil Sports Academy). They got 260-plus, and he hit a lot. Once in a Mumbai Premier League game, I had got him out. He was hitting everyone when I came on to bowl, he hit me for six and then got bowled. We played a lot in the same team also in Mumbai age-group teams and club cricket for Payyade.
So, how would he play against Surya? “I always like to bowl against aggressive batters… against Surya, you always have to have a plan, control and variations are very important, and execution. If you miss the execution, he will get you.”
Rohit Sharma and the Indian team are aware of the challenges Harmeet has faced before finding his opportunity in the USA. These include the limited chances he received at the senior level with the Mumbai team, his unwarranted association with the spot-fixing controversy surrounding the Rajasthan Royals in 2013, and an incident where he misinterpreted a traffic sign, leading to an accident near Andheri station.
However, his decision to move to the USA has provided a fresh start and allowed him to leave these struggles behind. “It has been a good journey so far. Took a little time (but) whatever I aspired for has come to life. Here I got the appreciation I always craved for, that’s what you want as an athlete.”
