World Cup 2015: 'Want son Swapnil Patil to score a ton against India'

MUMBAI: While not many fans are enthused about weekday matches in the on-going World Cup Down Under since they mostly feature minnows, the village of Darpale in Vasai comes alive around that time.
With 'apla' boy Swapnil Patil turning up for the United Arab Emirates, neighbours, friends and just about anybody in this hamlet turns up at his residence to cheer for him along with his family.
The level of enthusiasm in Patils' drawing room would, in fact, make you believe for a second that he is playing for India! "I used to feel sad that my son couldn't play for Mumbai and India, but the joy of seeing him play in the World Cup has overshadowed everything," Swapnil's father Prakash told TOI on Wednesday. After Swapnil's wedding in December, this is the second reason to rejoice for the Patil household in a short time.
UAE's narrow defeat to Ireland left the senior Patil heart-broken, but he now can't wait to see his son and his teammates square up against India at Perth on Saturday. "I wish my son scores a hundred and UAE stuns India that day. However, I pray that MS Dhoni & Co ultimately win the tournament!" he says.
The clash against India will give Patil a good chance to catch up with old pal Ajinkya Rahane. Both played together for Mulund Gymkhana in local cricket.
"Swapnil is happy about how Rahane's career has shaped up. He is looking to learn a few things from him," Prakash says. Of course, the wicketkeeper-batsman might pass on a few tips to his side about how to plot the in-form batsman's dismissal too! A retired bank employee, Patil had to take a tough call nine years ago of sending his 20-year-old son to UAE to play for the Yogi Group.
"Despite having scored 10 centuries at the U-14, U-19 and the U-22 level, he wasn't picked to play for Mumbai, though he was among the probables for a couple of seasons. His career was going nowhere. Realising this, I asked him to take up this offer," he recalls.