Football principles work for cricketer Bravesh Shetty

Bravish's footballer dad honed his son's basics in cricket using the same principles that work in the beautiful game

Football principles work for cricketer Bravesh Shetty

Bravish's footballer dad honed his son's basics in cricket using the same principles that work in the beautiful game

Cricket and football may not have any connection, but for Bravish Shetty there is one.

The Khalsa College lad, who almost single-handedly guided Mumbai University to its consecutive Inter-University title yesterday, gave credit to his father Ratnakar Shetty, former junior Indian football player.

Bravish's 235 on Day Three yesterday helped the defending champions reach 450 for nine after SRM University (Tamil Nadu) (198) conceded the match.

"My father has had a big influence on my game since I started. He has been a mentor and all what he has taught has certainly helped me. I wouldn't have had the energy to score my second double century so far had I not toiled hard in my younger days on physical fitness. All thanks to dad," the 21-year-old Bravish told MiD DAY.

Bravish's father taught his son cricket the football way in his younger days. He trained him with various football skills like sliding, goalkeeping, defence and tackling to help Bravish in his cricket.

"I taught him (Bravish) what all I knew as a footballer. It was important for him during that time (as a nine-year-old beginner) to develop his physical fitness. Now he is training and practicing on his own," Sr Shetty toldu00a0 MiD DAY.

Bravish rated this knock as one of his best. "To score a double century in a final is always very special. I hope to do well in future as well," said Bravish.

However, Bravish's father said it is just the beginning. "I think this knock came a bit late. Nevertheless, he has a long journey ahead. He has to prove himself on a bigger stage now," he said