Amarnath’s tale is as interesting. He grew up in Vellore, studied Civil Engineering and worked for a construction company, appeasing his love for cricket with some casual tennis-ball overs once in a while. “In 2003, there was a speed contest for bowlers and I wanted to know how fast I could bowl. I had to wait in a long queue before I got my chance, and managed to bowl at 121 kmph. It was then I realised I could play some serious cricket too.”

Both Amarnath and Gony made their Ranji debuts this season, and rose to prominence simultaneously.

Amarnath played in the first-division league for two seasons, and was fast-tracked into Ranji team last year but didn’t get to play. He played Twenty20 though, and got his first shot of fame when he dismissed uprooted Sachin Tendulkar’s leg-stump. “It was great, I still remember that delivery in my mind,” he said.

Gony, meanwhile, is still waiting for his dream dismissal — c MS Dhoni b MS Gony. “I don’t know when it will come. That will be nice, I almost made it but the catch was dropped,” he says.

There is a twist in the Amarnath-Gony fairytale — tomorrow they will complete against one another for a slot in the playing XI against Delhi Daredevils with Makhaya Ntini and Albie Morkel almost certain to be picked. “It will be interesting,” they say in unison.