"Age is just a number to look at and smile," said Leander Paes after winning the US Open doubles title recently.

Former first-class player and now coach of Rajasthan’s Ranji Trophy team, Pradeep Sunderam seems to be thinking on the same lines. At 53 years and 185 days, he played a Kanga League ‘C’ division match for Dadar Parsee Zorastrian CC against Dadar Parsee Colony SC at Matunga yesterday.

Pradeep Sunderam bowls for DPZ in the Kanga League at Matunga yesterday. Pic/Shadab Khan

Sunderam, who in 1985-86, claimed all 10 wickets in an innings for Rajasthan against Vidarbha, took the new ball yesterday and bowled eight overs on the trot in which he knocked a youngster’s off stump. He conceded 37 runs, bowled a maiden and claimed a wicket.

“The pitch was on the slower side. The ball was not carrying through to the ’keeper so I just looked to bowl wicket-to-wicket,” he said. However, he could not prevent his team from enduring a four-wicket loss on the basis of first innings lead while defending a modest score of 116.

On the secret behind his fitness, Sunderam said: “I do a lot of training and still bowl regularly in the nets. Even at this age, I bowl for one and a half hour at a stretch. This keeps me fit and upbeat.”

Sunderam will not be a Kanga League regular this year because of his Rajasthan commitments. His association with the tournament dates back to the 1970s. He played for Shivaji Park Gym as well as Rajasthan SC with distinction and was a feared bowler in the League. He even played against his late father — former India pacer GR Sunderam.

Meanwhile, Dadar Parsee Colony’s left-arm spinner Ketan Kharat ran through DPZ with a seven-wicket-haul, conceding just 20 runs. “Since Saturday was washed out, the wicket was slower and a bit uneven. I just tried to bowl in the right channel,” said Kharat.

DU’s Bhave slams ton

Dadar Union’s Shardul Bhave scored a hundred in the ‘B’ division against Worli Sports Club. The former ‘A’ division champs scored 216 for six before declaring. In reply, Worli SC scored 86-3.

In another ‘B’ division fixture, former Mumbai pacer Avishkar Salvi (3 for 9) and Prasad Patil (3-24) nearly bowled Parsee Gym to victory over New Hind.

Parsee Gymkhana scored 235 for 5 declared thanks to Sanket Chavan (72 not out with 7 sixes), Jammu & Kashmir skipper Ian Dev Chouhan (45) and Rehan Ahmed (33). New Hind finished the day with 91 for eight.u00a0

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