City boy Alankrith Rapole makes it to England under-19 tour

Alankrith from Boduppal happens to be the only one from Telangana to be in the Indian squad for the forthcoming India under-19 tour

Hyderabad: For wicketkeeper-batter Alankrith Rapole, it is the moment of reckoning!

Well, this gifted young cricket talent from the city’s Boduppal locality, incidentally, happens to be the only one from Telangana to be in the Indian squad (he is one of the stand-byes who will be travelling with the team) for the forthcoming India under-19 tour with Ayush Mhatre leading the side.

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“It is a huge opportunity for sure. Ready for the challenges ahead and to prove whenever I get a chance to represent India as I enjoy the job behind the stumps and in front of the wicket with the bat too,” said a confident Alankrith, who has been playing for Hyderabad in the Cooch Behar Trophy (under-19) for three years, hitting two centuries and a couple of crucial fifties.

Significantly, Alankrith is a self-made product under the mentorship of his father, Amit Kumar, who played only Club-grade cricket.

“Ever since he started playing at the age of 12, I somehow felt that he had the spark and many of those who watched him train were of the same opinion. This made me doubly determined to let him pursue the game with passion,” says the proud father, Amit.

Playing in the HCA Leagues for Union Bank of India (formerly Andhra Bank), Alankrathi has been a quiet achiever and this was one of the reasons which prompted his father to take ‘practice nets’ for lease to ensure that the youngster trains daily six hours without a break.

What really clinched the slot for the England tour was Alankrith’s impressive show in the Inter-NCA matches.

“My positive mindset is my biggest positive. And, the ability to combine skills in wicket-keeping and batting,” says a visibly delighted Alankrith, who is also grateful to the Hyderabad Cricket Association for supporting his journey.

Normally, there will be no reserve wicketkeeper in the stand-byes but that this Hyderabad boy happens to be the only one could well be a hint that he is being ‘watched’ with an eye on the future.

“Yes, the ultimate target is to make it to the Indian team for the under-19 World Cup,” says Alankrith, a huge fan of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.