Maharashtra's loss is MP's gain

NAGPUR: For Udit Birla, playing for Pune Warriors this year will be sort of home coming. The 23-year-old, who represented Maharashtra in U-15, U-17 and U-19 categories in BCCI tournaments, is now leading Madhya Pradesh One-day and Twenty20 teams.
He did well for Maharashtra at junior level and was later selected for the India U-19 camp with the likes of Saurabh Tiwary, Manish Pandey and Siddhartha Kaul.However, after being ignored for U-22 team, Birla decided to switch the state. Clearly, Maharashtra's loss looks like MP's gain.
"I did well for Maharashtra at the junior level and was expecting my name in their U-22 squad. However, somehow I didn't get selected. As my native state is MP, I got the opportunity and it's great to be part of such a competitive team. It's great to be back in Pune again. Probably it was my destiny that I got a chance to play for Pune Warriors in IPL," Birla told TOI.
Incidentally, Birla learned the nuances of cricket in Pune. His parents migrated to Pune for better future in early 2000. "I took the game seriously when I was in 8th standard in the Bishops School camp. From there on, I kept on performing and eventually selected for Maharashtra U-15 side when I was only 13. While my first year was average, I scored a big hundred against Saurashtra next year and it gave me confidence and self-belief that I could succeed in this game," he said.
Birla scored five hundreds at different levels for Maharashtra. His performances earned him the place in West Zone U-19 team. His 199 against South Zone, which had the likes of Abhimanyu Mithun paved the way for India U-19 camp. When he crossed 19 next year, Birla thought he would easily get into Maharashtra U-22 side but it didn't happen. It was then his father Alok decided to switch the state.
"It was a difficult decision. Though I didn't do much in the first year for MP, I was the highest run scorer in division matches in shorter version besides scoring heavily in days cricket next year. I also got the best batsman award. I got great support from MPCA. The facilities and guidance is tremendous," he said.
His ability to score quickly caught the eye of selectors and soon he was drafted into MP One-day side. Same year, he played for Central Zone in Deodhar Trophy. He was also selected for NKP Salve Challengers series last year. He is now integral part of Ranji team.
"I think I have a lot to prove as a cricketer. I could have done better but these are all learning experiences for me. I want to perform well for MP in Ranji Trophy. It's an honour to play in a competitive side like MP. IPL will be different experience for me. It will give me an opportunity to pick up the minds of international players. If I get an opportunity to play, I will give my best. It's a big platform for somebody like me who has just started," he said.