Amdavadi boy Smit Patel shines as India wins Under-19 worldcup

Ahmedabad, 26 August 2012

Ahmedabad’s Smit Kamleshbhai Patel has shined in under-19s cricket world cup for his excellent role as wicketkeeper and right-hand batsman.

1993-born Smit Patel hit the winning runs in the ICC U-19 World Cup final against Australia. He remained unbeaten on 62 as India beat Australia to lift U-19 World Cup.

Patel on Sunday said he was always confident of victory.

“It was awesome batting with (captain) Unmukt (Chand). He is a match-winner,” said Patel.

He further said, “we kept discussing our strategy during our partnership. I was quite confident that if we continued (the way we were playing), we could achieve the target (even if) with difficulty.”

“The situation was quite tentative when we lost the fourth wicket for 97 but we stuck to our basics. Our coach had told us whenever there is pressure we should just stick to our basics and that’s what we did,” added the wicketkeeper-batsman.

Australia had scored 225/8 which the visitors chased successfully with six wickets to spare in 47.4 overs.

This is India’s third title after having won in 2000 and 2008.

Smit plays for Gujarat state cricket team also. His coach in Ahmedabad is Tarak Trivedi.Smit who is currently studying computer engineer first donned his gloves when he was 11-year-old.

Smit’s parents migrated to the United States three years ago, but Smit stayed back in Ahmedabad because he wanted to continue cricket. His father, who was also a cricketer, believed that he had the talent to make it to the bigger stage.

Narendra Modi, Shaktisinh congratulate Smit Patel

The Chief Minister and the President of Gujarat Cricket Association Narendra Modi today congratulated the Indian team for winning Under-19 world cricket championship. Mr. Modi congratulated Ahmedabad’s Smit Patel who played in the team as the
wicketkeeper, for his best performance.

Leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil too congratulate Smit Patel and said Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat on social media celebrating the victory.

Relatives of Smit Patel and cricket fans in Ahmedabad celebrate the victory