Kotak lives the dream,gets 100 in 100th

Shitanshu Kotak followed his usual pre-match routine before Saurashtras game against Maharashtra.

Shitanshu Kotak followed his usual pre-match routine before Saurashtras game against Maharashtra. A visit to a Hanuman temple near his home has been part of a ritual since 17 years ago,when he made his first-class debut.

But this time there was a special request. He wanted a 100 in his 100th first class game,and the 37-year-old,who has seen several dreams being shattered in his career,wasnt to be denied.

Kotak isnt a known name among Indian cricket fans,who focus on the national team with blinkers on. But ask regulars on the Ranji circuit and there are unending tales of the left-hander who puts a high value on his wicket. Rivals have ridiculed Kotaks sedate batting style,but thats more to do with the hours they have spent on the field watching the batsman.

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During last years Ranji Trophy semi-final against Mumbai,in the middle of a typically stone-walling inning,Kotak saw Sachin Tendulkar approaching during drinks. He came to me and with a smile on his face said,Kotak,I had heard that it is tough to get you out. Now I have seen it myself, says Kotak,who had played a 13-hour knock the previous year to knock Mumbai out of the Ranji Trophy. I have seen fielders sledge at my batting partners but they dont take liberties when I am at the strikers end. It is this feeling that compensates for missing out on playing for the Indian team.

So confident is he about his run-making at the domestic level that international names dont overwhelm him. Once,when Ramesh Powar was bowling with red-framed sunglasses,Kotak asked to take them off as he couldnt sight the ball. Powar wasnt too pleased as he said that no international batsman has had a problem with it. Im not an international player,so better take them off, Kotak replied as Powar backed off.

Kotak says constant cricket is the secret behind his success. After the domestic season where between matches he plays for his employees BPCL he heads to England to play club cricket. I will be completing 15 years at the Kennilworth Warden Club. They are planning some benefit games and events for me, he says.

But back home,on eve of his 100 th game,there were no festivities. But the fact that the rivals see him as a pesky guest is reward enough for him. He doesnt want to be remembered as a fringe international player,but a Dada of domestic cricket.