In Ramesh Rajde’s memory...

Memories of departed cricketer flow at function to hand out scholarships for young guns

In Ramesh Rajde's memory...

Memories of departed cricketer flow at function to hand out scholarships for young guns

Whenu00a0former India opener Anshuman Gaekwad lost his friend -- Mumbai club cricketer Ramesh Rajde in August 2005 -- the Baroda-based luminary said that he did not feel like coming to Mumbai because Rajde wouldn't be there to receive him. Well, the Ramesh Rajde Trust for Young Sportspersons (spearheaded by Goa-based businessman Vijay Chowgule) has provided Gaekwad a good reason to come visiting each year since 2007 when the trust started. Young cricketers are honoured and rewarded through this trust that keeps the memory of Rajde alive. At Thursdays function Chief guest Dilip Vengsarkar's brief speech brought to the fore why the departed cricketer, who succumbed to a massive heart attack at 52, was special to Mumbai cricket.

He was a good cricketer and won many matches for our club. Ramesh modeled himself on VS Patil, our coach -- his bowling action and follow through. He was a fighter to the core and hardly spoke against anybody." Lalchand Rajput, the former India batsman and secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association recalled how he and his fellow young batsmen were warned about Rajde's ability. "Don't go by his short run-up, we were told. He was one of the most difficult bowlers to face in local cricket," said Rajput, who used to play for Tata Sports Club when Rajde turned up for Mahindra. They also played against each other on the club scene.

Chief guest Dilip Vengsarkar with Sagar Gorivale, Armaan Jaffer
(centre) and Akhil Herwadkar (right) at a function to present the
Ramesh Rajde scholarships on Thursday. Pic/Bipin Kokate

The winners...
Akhil Herwadkar a promising left handed opening batsman won honours in the under 16 category. Akhil scored 23 centuries, 54 half centuries apart from claiming 90 wickets with his off-spin over the last three years. He hails from Kolhapur but settled down in Mumbai to pursue his cricketing career. Armaan Jaffer, who surprised the nation by scoring 498 runs in a Giles Shield innings won the under- 14 category scholarship while leg- spinner Sagar Gorivale, who took 129 wickets in 42 matches was awarded a scholarship in the under 19 section.

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