Son chasing father’s ‘incomplete dream’

Ajay Sharma,who played 31 one-dayers and one Test for India,was found guilty by an independent BCCI inquiry into a CBI report on match-fixing. He was banned for life along with former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin,while Ajay Jadeja and Manoj Prabhakar were banned for five years each. All four players denied any wrongdoing,and Jadeja’s ban was later lifted by a Delhi court.

“Wherever I go,I’m asked about my father. He is my real support,more like a good friend. Even when we sit to have dinner,we pull each other’s leg. He has tremendous knowledge about the game,which has helped me a lot,“ Manan says.

He doesn’t remember the events surrounding his father’s ban — he was too young then — and says his father made sure that he never missed training even in the days when he was repeatedly in the news. “He would watch my batting from a far corner of the ground,and then he would leave. But as days passed,he slowly started dropping me to the ground and picking me up.”

When contacted,Ajay Sharma said that Manan was “carrying forward an incomplete dream”. “Had I been playing,I couldn’t have given him that much attention. I’m happy with the way he has performed,and at the chance that he has got,” he said.

With Manan getting an opportunity as part of the under-19 team,he has taken his first step towards a career that will see many unusual challenges. He wants to play for India to fulfil his father’s wish,and stresses that he wants to help clear his image. “I know my father is more eager than me to see me playing for the Indian team. It’s his dream and I want to fulfil it,” Manan said.

“Whatever criticism he has faced,I want to clear his image.”