Valthaty toast of IPL after hitting sparkling ton

Paul Valthaty is the toast of the Indian Premier League today after his splendid hundred helped Kings XI Punjab shock champions Chennai Super Kings at Mohali. MiD DAY traces his past and the impact an eye injury had on him in 2002

The Indian Premier League may have its share of detractors, but no one can deny the fact that the multi-million dollar tournament can resurrect a cricketing career almost instantaneously. Kings XI Punjab batsman Paul Valthaty could be the latest example.

Almost a decade before the 27-year-old Mumbai lad bludgeoned the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in Mohali yesterday ufffd scoring an unbeaten 120 off 63 balls (19 fours and two sixes) as KXIP chased down CSK's target of 189 with nearly an over to spare and win by six wickets ufffd Valthaty had made a name for himself across Mumbai's maidans thanks to his big hitting.

Biggest thrill
"The biggest thrill for me today was when Dhoni congratulated me for my knock. He said it was a good, well-paced innings," said Valthaty, who revealed to MiD DAY that he discovered more than 50 missed calls and 60 text messages on his phone after he returned to his hotel from the PCA Stadium in Mohali. Injuries have hindered Valthaty's career at crucial junctures. Just when the lion-crested Mumbai Ranji Trophy cap looked to be his in 2001, he dislocated his shoulder. Then, a little over a year later, he got picked for India's New Zealand-bound U-19 World Cup team. But again tragedy struck. He suffered an eye injury and had to return home mid-way through the tournament.

Vengsarkar's confidence
Former India skipper and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar, who was on that tour as BCCI's chief talent-spotter recalled how Valthaty impressed him. "I picked Paul as a 11-year-old and he did quite well at my academy right until the age of 18. He showed great potential as a future India player and that's the reasonu00a0 why he was picked for the U-19 World Cup despite not even being in the West Zone team," Vengsarkar told MiD DAY yesterday.

Former India swing bowler, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, coach of that U-19 World Cup team, echoed Vengsarkar's views. "Paul was an extra-ordinary talent back then. He probably did not realise it as it was early days in his career, but a lot was expected from him. Unfortunately the eye injury darkened a bright future," said Sandhu.

Valthaty was at his lowest ebb after the injury. "He got zero support after he returned home and subsequently tried to get his career back on track. It's easy to support a player when he is doing well, but a player needs maximum backing when he is down. Unfortunately, Paul received none of it. Dilip (Vengsarkar) supported him a lot, but at the same time, Dilip's critics turned against Paul and he was pulled down every time he tried to climb back to the top. Of course, the injury would have had its share of mental scars too," explained Sandhu.

Vengsarkar felt the hard-hitting batsman lost momentum after the injury. "He was no more the batsman he was before. He tried hard, but then, he had lost momentum," he said.

"I was in great form when the injury struck and as a teenager, I felt my world had just collapsed because making it to that World Cup team was the highest point of my career. It took me two-three years to completely recover from this ufffd mentally and physically, but it made me a stronger person," Valthaty recalled. The future however is bright for the senior customer services officer with Air-India, believe both Vengsarkar and Sandhu. "I've not seen him bat in the last few years but if he consistently delivers, I see no reason why he can't succeed again," said Vengsarkar.

"I've watched him bat recently and I'm sure he still has it in him to make it big. Besides, nowadays, age is not a deterrent anymore in cricket. There is no reason why Paul can't do well from here," said Sandhu.