Irrfan Khan yearned for cricket before Bollywood success

Actor Irrfan Khan’s shock demise on Wednesday left a big void among his fans and peers. Just a handful know that the Jaipur-born Khan was a promising cricketer. Khan was a talented opening batsman and an off-spinner who played in the Jaipur Cricket League, representing city-based clubs Eleven Stars and Union Club.
In fact, Irrfan played a key role in the success of Eleven Stars, helping them qualify for ‘B’ division and then ‘A’ division from ‘C’ division in the Jaipur Cricket League with his batting prowess.He used to open with then skipper Islam Qureshi, currently running a flourishing carpet business on Amer Road. Qureshi has fond memories of his schoolboy friend, who succumbed to colon cancer at the age of 53 in Mumbai.
“Eleven Stars made its entry in the Jaipur Cricket League in the ‘C’ division and then qualified to play in the B and A division. We would collect money to buy a new ball that would cost Rs 32 in the year 1984-85. The cost of the ball was equally shared by all team members. Irrfan’s role model was legendary Sunil Gavaskar, upon whom he would model his style. He would watch Gavaskar’s matches on Doordarshan for long hours on a mohalla television. He was in awe of Gavaskar’s straight drive and used to practice it again and again. He was also an effective off-spinner, and at times he would even operate the new ball bowling his medium pacers on matting wickets at the Chaughan where the league matches were held.” recalls Qureshi.
Eleven Stars, however, were relegated to the ‘B’ division the very next year after qualifying for ‘A’ division, prompting Khan’s exit from the club. He then joined the Union Club which was managed by Saleem Khan.
“We studied and played together for the Union Club and this was the time when Irrfan made a serious attempt to succeed as an opener and would go to the coaches to improve his skills,” says Zahiruddin, former captain of Union Club.