The Punjab U-23 Skipper Still Waiting For Maiden Ranji Call

Chandigarh: If you are a cricket fanatic, then the story of Karan Kaila would remind you of that of legendary spinners Padmakar Shivalkar and Rajinder Goel. These two supremely talented spinners despite being invincible at the domestic level, never made it to the Indian team. It was the presence of the spin quartet –B S Bedi, B Chandrashekhar, E Prasanna and S Venkataraghavan in the ‘60s and the ‘70s that didn’t allow the selectors to give Shivalkar and Goel a look-in.Even Mumbai’s Amol Muzumdar in the ‘90s was another unlucky cricketer who failed to don the India colours.
For the 23-year-old left-arm spinner Kaila, the wait for his Ranji Trophy debut is only prolonging. He may have donned the national colours at the U-19 level, but he is yet to represent Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. If Shivalkar and Goel missed the India cut, Kaila is still waiting for a call from the state selectors despite being no short of performances.
The Punjab U-23 captain, whose parents are doctors, has been knocking on the doors of the selectors for some time now. Kaila has only played two List A games for Punjab two years ago despite a rich haul of achievements in his kitty. Kaila shared the dressing room with the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samosn and others in the India U-19 World Cup in 2014. “All of them have played in the Ranji Trophy and Kuldeep, Sanju and Shreyas have even represented India, but I have lagged behind. I wish to restart my journey and get as many first-class matches as possible. This will give me a push,” added Kaila.
In sublime form
There’s no denying Kaila has performance to get the selectors’ nod. He has been leading Punjab in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy for the past two years. Punjab even won the tournament last season under his captaincy and currently sitting on top in their group with 17 points in three matches. He has even led Patiala to the Katoch Shield triumph this year. In last year’s Col CK Nayudu Trophy, he picked up 49-wickets and scored 300 odd runs. He took 9 wickets in an innings against Andhra Pradesh in the final at the Dhruv Pandove Stadium in Patiala. He missed the perfect 10 by a whisker. “I could have got grabbed all the ten wickets had not a catch been put down by the wicket-keeper,” Kaila recollected.
In the ongoing season, he already has 23-wickets and a strokeful hundred in three matches. “I hope my performances in the CK Nayudu tournament are taken into account and I am able to make it to the Punjab senior team,” said Kaila.
Dealing with rejections
Rejections can be a blessing in disguise for many. They just give one the determination to prove his detractors wrong. And Kaila is no exception. But disappointments do creep in. “I used to think that like my teammates, I will be able to represent my state after coming back from the World Cup, but unfortunately that didn’t happen,” said Kaila. After his brilliant performance in the last edition of the CK Nayudu Trophy, Kaila was confident of making it into the state side with his prolific run of form, but unfortunately that was not to be a reality.
“I was hopeful that I will make the cut but I couldn’t. I was disheartened for a few days and kept wondering what else I needed to do to impress the selectors. I even doubted my own skills,” said Kaila.
“I have performed consistently for Punjab at the U-14, U-16, U-19 and U-23 levels. I am not the one who loses hope. There is a fighter in me who keeps egging me on,” said Kaila.
“There is a saying, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ I am a very positive person I know I will get an opportunity and till then I need to continue working harder and leave the rest to destiny,” he added.
Kaila even missed out playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). “I attended the trials for the Mumbai Indians and was even shortlisted but I never received any call,” said Kaila. “I have no issues with rejections now. I have been facing rejections for the past four years. I am used to it but that doesn’t mean I have given up. I will let my performance speak on behalf of me,” he added.
Looking ahead
Kaila, who is an admirer of Ravindra Jadeja, believes that cricket is not just about batting, bowling and fielding but it is more about keeping oneself fit. “When the opportunity comes my way I need to grab
it with both my hands. And for that fitness is the key,” he said. “As I said before, this is my last season with the U-23 team and I want to finish on a high note. I am totally focused on winning the trophy for my state,” he signed off. The wait is on but one hopes it ends soon.