Ahmedabad, AUGUST 30: Each year, a promising cricketer from the state makes his way into the India U-19 squad. This time, a speedster from the Kheralu district has caught the eyes of Indian cricket coach Greg Chappell and skipper Rahul Dravid.

Ishwar Choudhury’s (18) rise in the game, could well be termed a fairytale. Sent to Gandhinagar by his father—a debt-ridden farmer—to nurse his flailing academic when he was 12, this tall strapping lad’s cricket instincts drew him closer to the game at the Sports Authority of India.

A year into the game at the local level, the Gandhinagar District Cricket Association took up his grooming. At 14 he made his debut for the Gujarat U-19 team, where he scalped eight wickets against Maharashtra. Thereafter, it’s been the fast lane for Choudhury.

“The big boost for my career was when I started training at the MRF Pace Foundation, three years ago. I made a few corrections in my bowling technique and I now am more comfortable with my body language,” says the shy lad.

MRF pace foundation coach TA Sekar is more than impressed with Choudhury. “I thought he should have been picked for the India A tour of Australia. His 11-wicket haul in the Zonal Cricket Academy final was of top-draw. He has got all the essential ingredients of a good fast bowler,” says Sekar.

Choudhury still cherishes his meeting with Indian cricket coach, Greg Chappell. “I had a shot at all the Indian batsmen at the training camp at Chennai. After the session, both Chappell and Dravid encouraged me and I was really happy that they had a few words with me.”

The real test for him though, starts now. As the India u-19 team travels to Pakistan for a two-Test and three-ODI series, he will be fully aware of his responsibilities. “I will try to make use of the opportunity in full earnest, and moreover playing in Pakistan is a dream come true.”

The national chairman of selectors, Kiran More, had a few words of encouragement. “He is young and has potential. He has to keep performing, and his Ranji performance will also be crucial if he wants to play for the senior side,” says More.

Choudhury’s father’s initial disapproval has been contained too. “My father was not happy in the beginning when he knew about my serious inclination towards the game, but now, he is the happiest man in my family,” says Choudhury.

The fairytale though, has not reached its climax. A happy ending can come through his performance, and this is just the beginning. “I have requested GCA secretary Vikrambhai Patel to have him included in the Ranji squad this year. He deserves it,” says Sekar.