Out-of-favour wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel feels it was unlucky of him that he started his career in the same era as MS Dhoni as he knows that the former captain grabbed his opportunities way better than him. Patel captained the Gujarat team to the 2016 Ranji Trophy title. His last Test appearance for India was in 2018, while the last time he played an ODI for the country was way back in 2012.
During an interaction with Fever Network’s ‘100 hours 100 stars’, Parthiv said, “I don’t see myself as unlucky to be playing in the Dhoni era. I started my career before him, and I had the opportunity to perform before him. Dhoni came into the team because I did not have a couple of good series and I was dropped.”
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He further added, “I know people can say it just to gain sympathies that I was born in the wrong era. But I don’t believe that. Whatever Dhoni has achieved was something very, very special and he achieved because he made sure of the opportunities he received. I don’t feel unlucky at all.”
Going down memory lane, Patel also recalled how “good friend” Matthew Hayden had given him a threat of punching him on his face. The incident took place during an ODI series in 2004.
The two then went on to play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), four years after that incident. He also revealed that the two became good friends. Patel said he also got invited by Hayden at his home in Australia for dinner after the IPL.
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Recalling the same, Parthiv said, “Yeah, Hayden wanted to beat me up in Brisbane. But we became good friends after that. We played a lot of cricket together at CSK. We enjoyed each other’s company. Opening the batting was fun with him. We’ve had good times off the field as well. So we patched up after that Brisbane incident. Even after the IPL finished, I went to Australia with an emerging side. Hayden called me home, prepared chicken biryani and dal for me.”
