Playing alongside cricket legends like Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma is a dream come true for many aspiring cricketers in India. Not everyone gets the chance to work and learn from these cricket titans, but for rising stars Rajneesh Dadar and Money Grewal, this dream has become a reality.
Talent Shines in Delhi Premier League
Rajneesh Dadar and Money Grewal, currently making waves in the Delhi Premier League, have shown exceptional talent and promise. Their impressive performances in this inaugural season have caught the eye of fans and selectors alike. Both have had opportunities to rub shoulders with some of the greatest names in cricket, and they recently shared their incredible journeys and experiences.
Money Grewal’s Journey: From U19 to RCB
Money Grewal’s cricketing journey began as an Under-19 player for Delhi. But like many dreams, his path was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Undeterred, Grewal continued to work hard and, in 2023, played for Delhi’s U23 team where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker.
Speaking to India Press Live’s Sports Editor, Samip Rajguru, Grewal opened up about his exciting journey. “I started my career as a U19 cricketer for Delhi before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In 2023, I played U23 for Delhi and finished as the leading wicket-taker,” he explained.
His impressive performances did not go unnoticed. Grewal was soon brought into the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) set-up as a net bowler. Sharing his experience, he said, “The selectors saw potential in me and sent me to the NCA for the emerging camp. I was also a part of RCB as their net bowler in the season gone by.”
Bowling to Cricket Idols
One of the highlights of Grewal’s career has been the opportunity to bowl to some of India’s cricketing greats. “I have bowled predominantly to Virat bhaiya and DK (Dinesh Karthik) bhaiya. I am still in touch with DK bhaiya. The experience of bowling to Virat bhaiya was amazing as he always challenged me to the core,” he shared.
Not just that, Grewal has also managed to get the better of Virat Kohli in the nets. “I was able to beat and dismiss him (Virat) several times during the nets. Training with Dinesh Karthik was also amazing. He is someone who trains for every delivery whether it is death bowling, bouncers, or something else,” added Grewal.
Rajneesh Dadar’s Rise: Learning from Legends
Rajneesh Dadar’s cricket journey has been equally inspiring. Starting his career by appearing for U19 and U16 trials, he faced initial setbacks. Despite his best efforts, he was often overlooked and found himself among the standby players.
Rajneesh didn’t let these early challenges deter him. His hard work eventually paid off when he got the chance to be a part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) camp. “I started my career off by appearing for U19 and U16 trials. Despite giving my best, I was never shortlisted and always found myself among the standby players,” Rajneesh said.
Working with Cricket Greats
At Delhi Capitals, Rajneesh got the invaluable opportunity to work with some of the best in the business. “At DC, I shared the nets with Ishant Sharma who is one of India’s greatest-ever pacers with more than 100 Test caps. I inquired him about bowling in T20 cricket,” he said.
Rajneesh also received guidance from cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly. “I spoke to Ricky sir and Sourav sir about the importance of mindset. They urged me to focus on my game rather than thinking about the crowd and thinking too far ahead,” he added.
Looking Up to Steyn and Bumrah
Rajneesh draws inspiration from some of the finest bowlers in modern cricket, namely Dale Steyn and Jasprit Bumrah. With his idols to look up to and his hard work, dedication, and talent, we hope to see Rajneesh in the Indian cricket team soon.
The future looks bright for both Rajneesh Dadar and Money Grewal, and cricket fans across India will be watching their careers with great interest. Their journeys serve as a reminder that with talent, hard work, and the right opportunities, dreams can indeed come true.
