Sachin Yadav’s consistent stellar performances at the Under-23 level finally earned him a coveted spot in Rajasthan’s Ranji Trophy squad. Making his debut in a high-stakes match against cricket powerhouse Mumbai, the young batter was determined to make a statement.
Despite a valiant effort, he agonizingly fell just eight runs short of a debut century, a heartbreaking run-out with Deepak Hooda sealing his fate. Yet, the opening batter views this near-miss not as a failure, but as a crucial learning experience. ‘Such things happen in cricket,’ Sachin told The Hindu. ‘While a bigger score would have been incredibly significant in my debut match, it’s all part of the game, and I’m committed to learning from it and growing stronger.’
Having reached the nervous nineties, Sachin admitted to rushing things, a decision that ultimately cost him the milestone. He reflected, ‘Looking back, I should have taken more time, especially in a four-day game, to build on that innings. But it didn’t play out that way.’
His motivation stems from a strong performance last month, where he scored 151 against Mumbai in the Col CK Nayudu U-23 Trophy Elite tournament. ‘I approach every match as just another game, and my focus remains solely on my performance,’ Sachin asserted, ‘The rest is in the hands of the selectors.’
Originally from the Alwar district, Sachin’s cricketing journey began early. His father, a government clerk, provided unwavering support, enabling Sachin to move to Jaipur a decade ago to pursue his ambitious cricketing dreams.