Chirag Gandhi - The Fire Brigade of the Gujarat Cricket Team

A bat for the sword, and a dream for armour, Chirag Gandhi has done so much more for cricket than just dodging the googlies in the field. Chirag Gandhi is a hardworking disciplined man who is outright and extrovert. He is one simple man who is worthy of appreciation.

Playing Childhood

Nourishment lies in the roots. For Chirag, his cricket journey started when his father asked his 8-year-old to catch a seasoned ball, drove him to Lalbhai Stadium at 6 in the morning, and encouraged him to play.

That’s when the bat, a toy of choice, turned into a dream.

When 15, his father presented him with the bat and the keys to his scooty.

“You are on your own, son.” He quotes.

So he continued on his own, practising daily, crafting himself to achieve cricket milestones. And today, after achieving many of those milestones, he is working since. You don’t devoid your eyes of a dream.

Juggling Books and Bats

“I had a selection for Surat District Cricket Association a day before my board exams, but my parents, as motivating as ever, supported me to play the match.”

Behold, dear readers! For he got selected for the district team, as well as scored 73% in his board exams!

But the real juggle initiated when he got selected for the U19 State team in his first year of SPB college.

“In the first exam, the highest mark I scored was 10. That too after cheating.”  Laughs Chirag Gandhi.

But his friends helped him with his studies, and he achieved to be one the rarest of rare to pass out his bachelor's in one go, being from the sports quota!

Milestones, checked!

A sports career, as many know, is one of the hardest. And Chirag Gandhi took the liberty to uncover the journey of a budding cricketer. In 2003 when India lost the World Cup, Chirag got very disappointed but somehow that proved to be his inspiration for working hard towards his goal of achieving a World Cup for the nation one day (which we earnestly wish would happen). 

If you think getting into a team or playing for the state is as easy as playing in your gully then my friend you’re wrong. You may have hit sixes and broken your neighbour’s windows, but getting into a State Team is one tough task.

• The selection committee issues advertisements in newspapers and organizes school matches, where they select 40 members.
  
• Then 40 candidates compete to bring it down to 25.
• Then among those 25, 15 are selected to create a District team.
• Later the districts compete with each other, and another set of 25 State Probables are selected.
• Further narrowing down to a team of 15 players who shall play for the State.

Chirag checked all these milestones, competing with so many, to wear the cricket jersey of the state.

CG’s Food and Fitness

“I don’t have a diet plan per se! Typical Indian food is enough. It doesn’t matter what you eat, as long as you can undo the harm with your exercises “ confirms Chirag Gandhi, busting the myths and predetermined diet notions of an athlete. But our hero is very self-disciplined and he has a straightforward no for fried and junk food. That is the best thing one could ever follow.

Generally, he runs for 3 days and hits the gym for another 3. But mostly follows the commands of his trainer, but never lets go of his fitness. 

Agility, strength and endurance are very important in cricket. And our hero is the best when it comes to speed training, and prefers power workout while in the gym.

Apart from cricket, he likes to play football, which justifies his love for speed training. But he gives equal justice to table tennis, badminton, volleyball, or any other game, as long as it's fun for him and contributes to his physical fitness.

Pressure Pro

HFM likes to call him the Fire Brigade of the Gujarat Cricket team.

“I may not have a lot of centuries, but the game-winning 60-70 runs.”

Being a smooth finisher, and born with the ability to effortlessly handle the pressures, he picks the bat, at last, taking the game to the boundaries of victory.

For his mental health, he just keeps himself calm, drinks some water and stays focused. Pressure brings out the best in him.

While in conversation with HFM he put a great deal of emphasis on mental wellbeing, as, to play physically well one has to be mentally strong and stable. One must know how to handle pressure and stay grounded.

“Not an avid reader, but a good book does excite me once in a while” confirms CJ.

Words of Wisdom from the Horse’s mouth!

“Parents must always support and encourage the child. And most importantly, let them; better persuade them to play, for games teach so many values of life. And to the GenZs with the phones, lose it, please! For it takes away your focus from your goals. See a dream, and work relentlessly towards it. It will pay you in one way or the other.”

And very importantly,

“Success definitely has no short-cuts. Work hard and harder to reach your goals with a lot of conviction and discipline.”

 Rapid fire

• Your favourite beverage? - Coffee
• The first thing that you do in the morning? - drink a bottle of water
• When are you most productive? - In the morning
• What number would you like to have on your jersey when you play for the country? - 28
• One place you would love to visit often? - cricket field
• Which is your favorite pitch to bat on? - Wankhede stadium, Mumbai
• One cricketer you are looking forward to playing with? - M.S. Dhoni, obviously
• Beaches or mountains? - Beaches
• Party person or dine in - Party person always
• Early riser or late sleeper - Early riser
• Box cricket or field cricket - Field Cricket
• Man of the match or Captainship - Captainship

Wall of Fame

Chirag has touched umpteenth milestones, adding them all to his wall of fame. Read along, and you’ll find out why we are so boastful of our Fire Brigade and his amazing cricket skills.

(P.s. these are our favourites among many more!)

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Ranji Trophy Champion (2016-17) .Vijay Hazare Trophy Champion (2015-16)
  
• Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Champion (2014-15) .Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Champion (2012-13)
• Joint Winner Champion U-22 col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy (2010-11)
• Champion U-19 Cooch Bihar Trophy (4 days) (2009-10)
• Champion U-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy (2009-10)
• Joint Winner Champion Vinoo Mankad Trophy (2008 - 2009).
• Champion in University (2010)

CRICKET CAREER:

• Born: June 18, 1990, Surat, Gujarat (Age 31 years 243 days)
  
• Started his cricket career in 2011 when he played in the State Team for Gujarat for the first time.
• Batting Style: Right hand batsman (Middle order)
• Bowling Style: Right arm offbreak

FIRST CLASS CRICKET (Ranji Trophy Matches)

BEST PERFORMANCE

• In Irani Trophy, he scored 169 and 75 runs, in GCA v/s Rest of India, Mumbai
  
• In Ranji trophy, he achieved 96 runs in GCA v/s Saurashtra Ca Semi Final Match, Rajkot
• Gained 100 (not out) in Deodhar Trophy, in GCA v/s India B; Kanpur
• COL. C.K. Naydu Trophy Under - 22  witnessed him score 216 in GCA v/s Rajasthan, Motera
• In the final match GCA v/s Jharkhand; Final Cooch Bihar Trophy, he attained 114 runs in Final Cooch Bihar Trophy Under -19

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