Chirag Suri was a star pupil at GEMS Modern High School

Denzil Pinto 21:55 28/03/2017
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  • IPL bound: Suri (l)

    In just a few days Chirag Suri will be mixing with the big boys in the Indian Premier League and he didn’t forget the two “influential” coaches that gave him the platform to realise his dream.

    After becoming the first UAE player be bought by a franchise when the 22-year-old batsman was sold to Gujarat Lions in last month’s auction, understandably his mobile was going off with numerous text messages and phone calls.

    Yet, he still found time to thank Shafiq Ahmed and Mohammed Salim by calling them personally in making him the cricketer he is today.

    After all, they were his first two coaches in the UAE when he joined GEMS Modern High School in 2005. But even as a 10-year-old, there was something in him that he was always destined for success.

    “He had played two tournaments for us and I could tell he was going to be a very intelligent and talented cricketer,” said Ahmed. “He would know how to play in the gaps and he was one of those who could learn very fast.

    “He was a natural cricketer. We didn’t spend too much time with him because he could absorb information quickly. He always wanted to learn and I can remember he played two very good innings by scoring 80 and 100 in two matches in Under-12 matches.

    “He was a fast learner and if you say something to him, he would be really determined to correct the wrongs and within days he would improve. As a coach, he never allowed me to repeat the same mistakes to him. Even if he wasn’t captain, he would stand up and give his thoughts and talk about the new strategy for the game.”

    Eventually, Suri was given the armband of the cricket team even though that meant he was playing against older boys. But Salim was never concerned and even likened him to Indian icon Virat Kohli.

    “He travelled to Kolkata and Delhi and was given the captain’s armband of the team as a Year Seven pupil. That team had boys in Year Nine and 10 but that didn’t faze him. He had the leadership skills and was very smart at 12 years old. He was very good at playing on his off-side, which is a very difficult skill but he made it look natural.

    “He was showing that he wanted to carry the game all the way just like how Virat Kohli is doing now. There was no sledging from him and was always a good fighter.”

    Both Ahmed and Salim will be keeping tabs on Suri and for the latter, he says the school could not be more proud.

    “Our input to him has now paid off and it’s nice to see him that he’s now selected in the IPL,” said Salim.

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