14 April,2011 07:14 AM IST | | Ashwin Ferro
Even as the Kings XI Punjab's Paul Valthaty made the cricketing world sit up and take notice, with his 63-ball 120 not out (inclusive of a 23-ball 50 and 52-ball 100, studded with 19 fours & two huge sixes) against CSK, his employers, Air-India weren't surprised.
Dilip Pinge, AI's DGM sports & secretary of AI's Sports Promotion Board, in fact heaved a sigh of relief that Valthaty had finally proved his mettle on the big stage. "Paul is a very humble and hardworking guy but, good luck has evaded him. I'm glad he finally got his due," Pinge told MiD DAY.
Speaking of Valthaty's power-hitting, Pinge recalled an incident. "He was playing for Mumbai in the Ranji T20s at the Pune Club last year when one of his many big sixes went outside the stadium and shattered the windshield of one of the club member's cars in the parking lot. We know he's capable of big shots... but they were not coming on the big stage."
