JOIN USHumble Mumbaikar emerges out of shadows in style
That’s the sort of instant fame the Indian Premier League and a 63-ball 120, also the first hundred of the IPL IV, can bring. But the 27-year old had to walk through the alleys of pain, oblivion and hardships. In 2002, he was marked a talent to look forward to when he made it to the India under-19 side along with Irfan Pathan and Parthiv Patel.
“He was a wonderful hitter of the cricket ball even from that age, one of the cleanest strikers of the ball I have ever seen. For some of us his innings today came as not much of a surprise as the limelight was destined to come to him,” said Irfan Pathan, who now plays for Delhi Daredevils, about his former team-mate, who has his roots in Kerala.
Amidst all the hoopla surrounding him, the man of the moment remained rooted to the earth. “It indeed is a dream come true. But to be honest it was a belter of a track. But I will never forget that moment as it meant a lot to me,” he said.
The knock also might have brought a lot of relief for him as an eye injury that he suffered during the U-19 World Cup restricted his appearances to a mere one List A game and 13 T20 matches in nearly eight years.
However, a few powerful efforts for Mumbai in the domestic T20 games won him a contract with Rajasthan Royals and this season Kings XI decided to buy him. What a move that proved to be. Kings XI skipper Gilchrist agreed. “Last match we wanted to open with Paul but we decided to stick with (Shaun) Marsh. But this game we wanted to have a change and Paul responded with an amazing hundred.”
It might also have a potentially career-changing effect on Valthaty.