Mohali lad makes IPL2 his own

As the Royal Challengers Bangalore needed 37 runs of 26 balls to clinch the DLF IPL2 trophy, the Deccan Chargers (Hyderabad) clearly had their backs to the wall. The challenge, stiff as it was, was the moment for a new hero to take centrestage and as the 6' 3" Mohali lad, Harmeet Singh, marked his run up for the next ball, he knew the stakes were high with South African veteran Mark Boucher "thinking sixes" in his mind.

What followed was a fairy tale: a short-one pitched outside off, Boucher slashed at it and the ball was pouched by Herschelle Gibbs at backward point. "Well done mate!! now we can smell victory," were the words that Captain Gilchrist had for Harmeet.

He, as much as others, knew that the match had turned on its head and it followed in accordance with the decline of the Royal Challengers and the crowning of the new champions. "This is like a dream for me," said an exuberant Harmeet while speaking to the The Indian Express from Johannesburg.

"First playing in the IPL, then sharing the same dugout with the greats like Gilchrist, Gibbs and Andrew Symonds and finally getting the crucial wickets of Rahul Dravid and Boucher— it was like scripting a dream. The pat from Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) and meant the world to me," added Harmeet.

Harmeet was also the lucky mascot for the Deccan chargers as statistics highlight that his team won every match that featured him in the playing eleven.

So who was responsible for leading the Chargers home? "The credit goes to Gilchrist. With a leader like him, we were always on course. Before the final, the message was clear from him — just enjoy the game and give our best."

On the celebrations after the win, Harmeet recalled, "I couldn't believe I was shaking a leg on Akon's music and dancing with Katrina Kaif."

Once home, the 21-year old wants to visit The Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Having trained for the last seven years with former Punjab pacer Sukhwinder Sinhg Tinkoo, Harmeet has his eyes set on the Punjab Ranji Trophy team. "I am confident. The rest is up to the selectors," said Harmeet, whose team will regroup in four months' time to take part in the Champions League.