Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel is getting married to his childhood friend Avni on his 23rd birthday.
AHMEDABAD: Wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel is getting married on March 9, also his 23rd birthday. And he says he does not even have time to think about it. Cricket has kept the captain of the Gujarat Ranji team busy. "Everything is happening that I just can't stop and plan," Parthiv, just back from Pune where he played the Ranji Trophy one-day championships, told TOI on Thursday.
His childhood friend Avni is his chosen mate. While the wedding is private, thousands of well-wishers are expected at the wedding reception the next day. There's hectic activity in the homes of both the bride and groom and the excitement is palpable. But Parthiv seemed more focused on cricket. After a hectic cricketing schedule that commenced in July last year when he toured Kenya and Zimbabwe with the India-A team, Parthiv will be taking off two days after he gets married to participate in the Deodhar Trophy in Bangalore.
He will be getting a 15-day break after the Deodhar and before the IPL tourney. "I am planning a short 5 to 6-day honeymoon then," Parthiv said. The family is hoping that with South Africa starting their four-Test tour of India later this month, Parthiv may be named deputy to Dhoni. Parthiv led Gujarat to the Ranji Plate championship in October-November while compiling the highest number of runs in the tournament and taking the most catches.