Indore’s Soham appointed skipper of India U-19 team for Oz series

Indore:Indore: Following in the footsteps of his cricketing lineage, 18-year-old Soham Patwardhan from Indore has been appointed captain of India’s Under-19 cricket team for the upcoming multi-format series against Australia.Renowned for his unique skill as an ambidextrous spinner and his prowess as an all-rounder, Soham is set to make his international debut in the four-day games scheduled in Chennai from September 20 to October 7.Cricket runs deep in Soham's veins, a legacy he carries from his grandfather, Lt. Ashok Patwardhan, who captained the U-19 team for Madhya Pradesh years back, and his father, Nikhil Patwardhan, a former Ranji player for Madhya Pradesh. Following their footsteps, Soham started playing cricket at the tender age of seven, under the watchful eyes of his family and coaches.“It is a big opportunity for me to be a part of the Indian team. It is like a dream come true, especially for my family, who have put in all the hard work and supported me throughout,” Soham told TOI.Soham’s journey began at the CCI Club of Indore, where his grandfather would drop him off daily after school. He later attended a CBSE school in Indore, known for its strong cricketing infrastructure, where he trained under coach Rishi Hegde.His talent soon earned him a place at the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association’s Residential Cricket Academy, where he was coached by former cricketer Amey Khurasia and later trained by another former cricketer Devashish Nilosey. His spin bowling skills were further honed under the mentorship of Narendra Hirwani.Currently representing Madhya Pradesh in the Reliance Tournament in Ahmedabad, Soham’s cricketing prowess has been evident in his recent performances. In the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, he scored 148 against Nagaland and 60 against Maharashtra in the quarter-final, despite having limited opportunities. In the Cooch Behar Trophy, he impressed with 117 against Haryana, 94 against Rajasthan, and consistent scores against Baroda in the pre-quarter-final, where he also took three wickets.Soham’s father, Nikhil Patwardhan, now an umpire after representing MP in the Ranji Trophy in 2015-16, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievements. “Soham is carrying forward the legacy of his grandfather, who always dreamt of seeing him wear the blue jersey for Team India. My father backed him from the very beginning, taking him to Mumbai to watch cricket matches and get motivated,” Nikhil told TOI.“He is making his international debut at just 18, and we are confident that his dedication will propel him to even greater heights,” he added.TOI.
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