Tushar Deshpande to Play Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Despite His Mother's Demise

Young 23-year-old fast bowler Tushar Deshpande is another story of vigour, valour and perseverance. The Mumbai fast bowler lost his mother early in the morning. She passed away at the Fortis Hospital at Mulund after fighting a two-year batter with ovarian cancer. The only child of the Deshpande family, the fast bowler decided to report to work despite being in one of the most difficult phases of his life.

He has made up his mind to travel with the Mumbai squad to Indore on Wednesday for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts. They are slated to lock horns against Karnataka at the Holkar Stadium. The match is slated to be played from 8^th March.

“She was unable to cope up with the chemotherapy. She had already undergone 24 chemotherapy sessions and it was not agreeing with her. I was very attached to her like every son would be. For the last month, she was not talking at all. Having a mother is the biggest gift, whether she talks or not,” Tushar Deshpande was quoted as saying by Cricket Country on Tuesday.

Deshpande has bagged 11 wickets in 6 matches of the T20 tournament so far. When asked about the brave decision which he took, Deshpande said that the thoughts f his mother will encircle him but if she would have been alive she would have wanted to him to play well and nothing else. “Thoughts about mummy will definitely come, but my mom wanted me to play well and nothing else. If I stop right now, then there’s no point.”

The resident of Kalyan underwent several challenges in recent times. Deshpande had a terrific Vijay Hazare Trophy. Subsequently, he performed well for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy opening match against the Railways. He bagged 6 wickets in his first innings. The selectors were pretty impressed with his performance of the youngster and were a contender for a spot in India A squad.

However, nothing could materialise after he sustained an injury during a local club match and was subsequently sidelined for a month. “I was in good form, but that injury really hurt me. Mentally, I knew I was in good touch, I got good confidence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy and I just wanted to carry it further. I was mentally strong that I will make a good comeback,” Deshpande said.

Mumbai made it to the knockouts of the tournament which had eluded them during the Ranji Trophy. Deshpande attributed the team’s success to their ability to cope with pressure and picking up wickets on a consistent basis.

“We are picking up wickets. If you look, except for Goa, we have bowled out all the other teams we have played. We have been handling pressure really well and we’re not panicking. Another plus point is Ajinkya Rahane, an international captain, so all this do make a difference,” he said.