For one who has just played 13 first-class games, it's not easy to put stars like MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and RP Singh in the background. Even though his side, Air India Blue, lost out in the final of the BCCI Corporate Tournament, their unheralded opening batsman Chandan Madan would be laughing his way back home, clinching ‘man of the tournament’ award.

For records, he scored the highest number of runs (273) in the Cup. What makes it more commendable is the fact that he played well in each of the matches, even in the final when the big names failed their team. And, as if to reward him for his consistency, the 26-year old wicket-keeper batsman has been signed by Mumbai Indians for the Indian Premier League. Obviously, his state mate and skipper at Air India Blue, Harbhajan Singh put in a word, but Madan is on Cloud Nine: “I owe my success to Bhajji paaji who asked me to believe in my abilities and play my natural game. The IPL-contract is icing on the cake for me,” Madan who made a comeback into the Punjab Ranji side last year after a gap of four years, told The Indian Express.

“I am really excited to be in the same team which has great players like Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasurya,” said a beaming Madan. “Corporate tournament was such a big platform for a cricketer like me. It featured big names and even the national selectors were watching the players and even interaction with media-persons was quite an overwhelming experience. I was having butterflies in my stomach when I was told by Bhajji paaji that I had to address the media after the semi-final game. But luckily, it went fine, and I gained in confidence,” he said. Madan also kept the wickets for Air India Blue in the tournament. He scored 74 against Indian Revenue in the league game and 85 in the final against Air India Red but the best was his century in the semifinal: “(M S) Dhoni said I was hitting the ball well and he praised my batting. Coming from the Indian skipper, someone who is himself a big hitter of the ball, it will give me confidence to look ahead.”

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