Born in a small town called Junnar near Pune, Jaideep Pardeshi switched base with the sole aim of playing for Mumbai when he was only in Class VI. Pardeshi grabbed the headlines on the third day of the Cooch Behar Trophy final against Maharashtra when his timely ton (125 off 275 balls) almost sealed the fate on Monday. The formality was completed yesterday.


Jaideep Pardeshi

"Playing for Mumbai and winning the U-19 title in my last season feels great. The fact that I have scored a crucial century to help my team succeed gives me added satisfaction," Pardeshi told MiD DAY after winning the Cooch Behar Trophy at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday.


Mumbai players celebrate winning the Cooch Behar Trophy at the
Wankhede Stadium yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble

A fan of Aussie great Matthew Hayden, Pardeshi tries to emulate him while batting. A well-built opener charging down the wicket to hit the bowler over the fielders' heads is something that has glimpse of Hayden in it. "I am great admirer of his style, but never copied him. He is iconic. Any opener would like to follow his style and I am no different," the Mumbai opener said.

Coming all the way from a remote place, cricket took centre stage in Pardeshi's life. Getting admitted to Hansraj Morarji Public School in Andheri wasn't that difficult, but staying in a hostel from Class VII and hone his cricketing skills away from home were.

"My grandfather stays in Thane and so I could have stayed there too. But my parents thought I would be pampered there and lose focus from the game," Pardeshi said. The left-handed opener gave credit to former India stumper Chandrakant Pandit for his success. "When I was in Class VII, I started training under Pandit sir and till date he is of great help to me whenever I face any problem."

Mumbai comfortably won the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy beating Maharashtra by virtue of first innings lead. This is Mumbai's only title this season. Resuming the final day at 300-7, Mumbai stretched their lead to over 400. Maharashtra, in reply were 179 for three at close of play.